Operations Manager

Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for determining the strategy, priorities, and direction for manufacturing operations within the Toluca Plant. This individual will oversee both Production and Sanitation within the Plant but will also actively collaborative cross functionally with Maintenance, Supply Chain, EH&S, Continuous Improvement, Product Introduction, Human Resources, and FSQA to analyze and improve organizational processes, product quality, and efficiency.    

Responsibilities

• Formulates manufacturing strategies, objectives, plans and programs consistent with the General Manager and the Sr. Director of Operations.
• Establishes production controls in order to minimize waste & downtime, improve capacity and performance, while maintaining and improving product quality and integrity.
• Leads production management and team members in a fast paced, deadline oriented food manufacturing plant, while utilizing available resources to maximize manufacturing output.
• Utilizes operational knowledge to support new and reformulated product initiatives by providing direct labor headcount, material yields and scrap, and production throughput expectations.
• Supports and ensures production compliance with FSQA programs to safeguard product quality and safety in accordance with governing regulatory standards (FDA, USDA, SQF) and company programs (HACCP, SSOP, SQF, and allergen control).
• Coordinates maintenance, FSQA, procurement and other activities with production to obtain optimum performance and utilization of labor, equipment and machines.
• Reviews and analyzes production, FSQA, maintenance and operational reports to ensure conformity with product specifications and performance requirements, and develops and executes plans to improve shortfalls.
• Directly supervises, trains, coaches, mentors and evaluates direct reports and provides support, development and guidance to improve quality, production and performance.
• Acts as a safety champion and ensures safety practices and processes are conducted in a safe manner and employees are provided and using proper PPE for job tasks.
• Continuously drive improvements to OEE by addressing production process problems and making equipment and process improvement recommendations. Work with engineering and maintenance manager to resolve equipment problems & failures.
• Maintains high quality standards with a zero defect approach by adhering to Standard Operating Procedures, creating and updating procedures for equipment, processes and personnel as needed.
• Establishes creative, cost effective solutions to production and sanitation challenges.
• Collaborates with the maintenance manager to ensure equipment is in good working order through effective preventative maintenance program, making adjustments and recommending improvements.
• Manages the training, mentoring and performance of team members, and directs their activities toward the achievement of company and plant goals.
• Hires, trains, evaluates & resolves employee relations issues in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Skillfully develops and delivers reports and presentations appropriate to the audience.
• Supports TPM activities through the development, execution and engaged participation of related activities.
• Develops and manages budgets while monitoring and controlling expenditures to conform to budgetary requirements.
• Promotes and maintains the company culture of employee safety, food safety and quality, innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical or business management discipline plus a minimum of 7-10 years of related experience in operations and food production experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a management level role, required.  
• Will have a thorough knowledge of manufacturing methods, techniques, and related equipment.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate at all levels with internal employees and leaders and externally with outside consultants and suppliers.
• Understands how to prioritize, plan and execute departmental work flow and its relationship to the overall plant operation.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks and priorities and easily adapt to changing situations.
• Must be detail and performance oriented, with high level of accuracy, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and team building skills, with the ability to build and maintain credibility through action, leadership and achievement.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to set and meet goals and accept responsibility for own work, as well as that of others.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and risk analysis by identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Strong desire and ability to work in fast paced deadline orientated environment.
• Computer skills in report generation and Microsoft applications required.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including overtime and weekends when needed.
• Minimal travel expected, but required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in office and production settings. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and hear as well as interact with other employees. The job will require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.