Digital Operation Project Manager - NorAm

Bel, makers of iconic brands including Babybel, The Laughing Cow, Boursin, and GoGo Squeez is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel’s commitment to sustainability and healthier and responsible food for all. The company has headquarters in Chicago (Bel Brands USA) and New York City (GoGo Squeez) and operates 5 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Leitchfield, KY; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID.

Digital Operation Project Manager – NorAm

Location: NorAm Factory –

Traverse City, Michigan

Nampa, Idaho

Brookings, South Dakota

Division: Bel USA

Department: Operations

Reports to: Industrial Performance Director North America

Job Description Summary

Bel Operations is accelerating its Digital Transformation to ensure sustainable productivity through digital value creation. The NORAM Digital Operation Project Manager will lead and coordinate the NORAM Digital Road Map, aligning it with regional business needs and end-to-end priorities. This role involves ensuring operational digital support to plants, managing digital budgets, training, and project execution, while representing the NORAM region within digital operations governance. The manager will also support the implementation of corporate digital solutions, coordinate communication and awareness, and ensure the rollout of digital solutions in line with corporate strategies and regional targets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate and support factories in implementing their digital road map through highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills.

• Ensure team development through effective coaching and mentoring, providing necessary training and support.

• Exhibit strong leadership skills to manage complex situations and navigate ambiguity effectively.

• Communicate proficiently with group stakeholders, including Operations, IS/IT, and factory teams, ensuring clear and effective information exchange.

• Demonstrate rigor and excellence in project management competencies, acting as a PMO to oversee and guide digital projects.

• Work autonomously across various functions, being self-motivated and assertive in driving initiatives forward.

• Lead with strong communication and leadership qualities, teaching skills, and the ability to influence without hierarchical authority. Exhibit analysis and challenge abilities, rigor, organization, diplomacy, and tenacity.

• Maintain a highly developed challenging mindset, being result-oriented, driven, and passionate about digital transformation.

• Lead and motivate teams to meet and exceed improvement targets through effective digital project leadership.

• Apply analytical and conceptual thinking to transition from strategic vision to operational data, autonomously identifying the best options and strategies based on core priorities.

• Design and develop interactive dashboards and reports using Power BI to provide clear insights into operational data.

• Utilize data visualization tools, such as PI Vision, to create and manage visual displays of process data.

• Optimize production processes, reduce downtimes, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) using Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Experience in implementing, configuring, and maintaining MES is preferred.

• Possess knowledge of industrial networking and Operational Technology (OT) systems.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline or related discipline preferred.

• Experience in continuous improvement or manufacturing with a proven background in digital activities.

• Experience in or exposure to Industrial Performance tools and methodologies.

• In-depth understanding of manufacturing operations strategy.

• Comprehensive knowledge of digital standards, tools, and methodologies.

• Proficient in project management, including methodology and project planning, to achieve objectives.

• Familiarity with key principles of Industry 4.0.

Performance Expectations: successful execution of the Digital Road Map with a clear return on investment as well as implementing digital projects that positively impact SMCDE KPIs and contribute added value to transformation initiatives. Additionally, maintaining and reporting on the Project Progress Score Card, including planning and execution metrics, is essential. This role will require you to travel to the NorAm and Europe factories up to 25% of the time.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office and manufacturing environments. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours. There will be some variation in work hours due to special projects, deadlines, and other concerns. Ability to lift up to 30 lbs., as well as climb ladders. Frequent travel will be required – US as well as international. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in the plant as required.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Relationships: Strong working relationships with Operations, IS/IT teams, among others.

Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Bel Brands is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation or assistance in using the website, please call 312-462-1500.

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