Sr. Operational Excellence Manager

Employment Type: Salaried
Work Designation: Onsite 

Position Summary:

The Plant World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Manager will be responsible for accelerating the WCM change efforts at their assigned production plant by leading organizational/leadership development processes, promoting employee engagement and driving quality and productivity improvements. As part of the Plant Leadership Team the WCM Manager will provide necessary coaching to the team and other individuals regarding organizational effectiveness, operational improvements and execution of best practices. Monitor progress and advance the transformation to world class over time through continued coaching. Provide support to location personnel to make certain that progress meets location targets.   

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for implementing strategy and guiding advancement of WCM at assigned production location
• Collaborate with the Production Manager(s), Quality Managers and others at the location to understand site business priorities/goals and use this knowledge to prioritize Continuous Improvement activity at the production location
• Be a role model for the mindsets and behaviors necessary to create an environment of trust, participation and accountability
• Consult with WCM methodology leaders to identify best practices and to simplify and standardize work to deliver improved performance
• Actively review site practices to identify opportunities and advise on appropriate organizational interventions, i.e., training, coaching, etc. for improving site systems and practices to achieve desired outcomes. Build a coaching culture and provide individual coaching to site and above site leadership throughout the change and transformation process
• Guide locations in determining the priorities for process improvements that impact production and business results and champion waste elimination and reduction. Responsible for the oversight and direct supervision of assigned plant continuous improvement resources
• Monitor improvement progress and sustain transformational gains over time through continued metric review and consultation with key stakeholders
• Lead improvement projects utilizing standardized Lean Six Sigma tools and methods to improve plant performance and achieve results for operations customers
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls

Other duties as assigned; travel may be required

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management or equivalent experience
• 5-10 years of experience in Engineering, Business, Operations Management
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Professional certifications and experience especially helpful in the field of  World Class Manufacturing, World Class Operations, IWS, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, Training Development, Organizational Development, Coaching, Lean and Change Management
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and implement organizational and cultural change and deliver results. Results oriented with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret information from a variety of sources  
• Be a recognized role model in key leadership development skills of feedback, coaching, listening, empowerment and difficult conversations. Demonstrated conflict resolution and solution focused problem solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills which include building rapport and maintaining strong relationships across all levels, sensitivity to individual and team needs, collaborating effectively to accomplish work, effective facilitation and teaching skills 
• Project management capability with effective time management skills and ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities
• Knowledge and strong working competence in Microsoft Office toolset

Why Join Us:
Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses.  We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves.  When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work.  As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there.  We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.  

Ventura Foo