Senior Operations Manager

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

General Summary:

This position will provide overall management of the operations associated with the manufacture and packaging in accordance with all Company policies and applicable laws. The Operations Manager will plan, organize and direct these manufacturing activities to meet established plant objectives and key performance indicators (KPI’s).  This position will provide leadership and guidance to all direct reports, as well as other support areas as needed.  The Operations Manager will lead all lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives for their functional area.  This position is critical for establishing and maintaining the area as a center for operational excellence, including stressing the safety, quality and customer service mentality vital to the organization. 

Essential Functions:

• Responsible at all times for promoting a safety culture and awareness within area of responsibility.  Support and enforce all plant safety policies and procedures in a fair and consistent manner.  Lead behavior based safety initiatives within the department.
• Provide the manufacturing process with leadership, guidance and team support. Offer direction, expertise and effort in the manufacturing area. Maintain focus on meeting plant objectives and KPI’s specific to safety, quality, productivity (OEE), schedule attainment (OTIF) and cost control.
• Utilizing lean and six sigma methodologies, meeting daily production target goals, improving product quality by reducing defects, reducing labor hours, adhering to departmental budget, enforcing policies on a consistent basis, maintaining department morale and enforcing safety regulations.
• As a key Leadership Team member, prepares, monitors and maintains department budget.
• Facilitate and drive employee engagement activities.  Develop culture of open and honest communication.  Encourage and support employee suggestions and recommendations relating to continuous improvement of the work environment and processes and the elimination of waste.
• Review, develop, implement and revise (as needed) all processes and procedures within the manufacturing areas to ensure continuous improvement activities. This includes implementation and maintenance of lean manufacturing principles, G2G (Good to Great) cost savings initiatives and efficiency enhancing resources.  Track results as indicated by plant key performance indicators (KPI).  Also serves as key team member in Kaizen events, participation in audit programs and implementation of engineering changes.
• Maintain a competent staff through effective selection, training, development, motivation and active performance management.  Lead and develop direct reports.  Creating and execution of department annual goals and objectives/core competencies and developmental plans.  Enable team members to use tools such as effective meetings, consensus building, coaching, problem solving, audits and feedback to meet team and plant goals.
• Coordinate and monitor training and development programs to ensure operator effectiveness, skill enhancement and flexibility within the work group and the plant. Ensure certification processes are followed and maintained.
• Assume responsibility for all administrative facets of the area assigned, including personnel (approval of all corrective actions, etc.) and operations (operations reporting). Assist in the development of policies and procedures. Address issues of consistency of application of policies and procedures as directed by Human Resources.
• Actively participate in supplier interaction activities, such as in-sourcing, outsourcing, quality and delivery issues, and supplier visits and audits.
• Participate in the panel interview and hiring process for both hourly and professional positions.  Assist in development high potential employees into roles as new Coordinators and leaders in the plant.
• Evaluates opportunities for major reductions in manufacturing cost through the introduction and use of current technologies such as TPS, SMED etc.
• Maintain a competent staff through selection, training, development, motivation and performance