What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Operations Specialist position at Cascade Coffee, LLC?
What does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year?
Ask Cascade Coffee!
We are excited to announce that we are hiring an organized Manufacturing Operations Specialist!
Recent graduates with a degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field are encouraged to apply and may be considered for the role.
For more than 45 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world’s finest coffee brands worldwide. Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer’s brands.
Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 150,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines.
Why Cascade?
We offer a unique blend of benefits for you and your family!
WAGE RANGE (NON-EXEMPT): $28 - $35
REPORTS TO: CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
- Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period
- Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all
- Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs
- Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family’s overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self
- Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance
- Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend
- Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
- Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Operations Specialist will be a key player in supporting the Manufacturing team and helping optimize our day-to-day operations. This role is hands-on, and you’ll spend a significant amount of time on the factory floor, working directly with production teams to keep things running smoothly. You'll be responsible for tracking performance metrics, driving improvement projects, and providing vital administrative support. If you're someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys problem-solving on the fly, and loves the idea of making a real impact, this role is for you. Expect to be actively involved in operations, collaborating with the team, and ensuring we're hitting our goals every day.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Continuous Improvement, KPI Recording and Tracking:
- Participate in and support lean manufacturing and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Partner with COO, manufacturing supervisors and operators to identify as well as implement corrective actions and process improvements.
- Provide actionable recommendations to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and reduce operational costs.
- Data Collection and Analysis:
- Gather, consolidate, and validate operational data across all manufacturing functions, including:
- Roasting Operations: Track throughput, downtime, yield, and quality metrics to ensure consistency and adherence to production schedules.
- Packaging: Monitor efficiency across multiple packaging lines, including cycle times, defect rates, and changeover durations.
- Inventory Management: Record and analyze inventory accuracy, raw material usage, and stock levels to optimize replenishment and reduce waste.
- Maintenance: Track planned and unplanned maintenance activities, equipment uptime, and adherence to preventive maintenance schedules.
- Labor Utilization: Measure workforce efficiency, overtime, and productivity rates to optimize labor allocation.
- Gather, consolidate, and validate operational data across all manufacturing functions, including:
- Develop and maintain dynamic dashboards and detailed reports to provide real-time visibility into manufacturing performance.
- Design weekly and monthly KPI summaries for the COO and other stakeholders, highlighting trends, variances, and improvement opportunities.
- Analyze KPI trends to identify root causes of inefficiencies, quality issues, or bottlenecks.
- Ensure KPIs align with company goals and industry best practices by benchmarking against historical performance and competitive standards.
- Collaborate with the manufacturing team to update and refine KPIs as operational needs evolve.
Project Management:
- Project Identification and Definition: closely with the COO and manufacturing team to identify opportunities for projects aimed at improving operational performance, cost savings, and product quality.
- Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in alignment with company goals.
- Develop detailed project charters and obtain stakeholder buy-in for execution.
- Planning and Execution: Create comprehensive project plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics, and procurement, to ensure alignment and seamless execution.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring milestones are met within scope, budget, and timeline constraints.
- Monitor project progress using key metrics such as cost reduction achieved, process time saved, and productivity gains.
- Regularly update stakeholders on project status, challenges, and achievements through detailed reports and presentations.
- Facilitate project meetings, ensuring effective communication and resolution of roadblocks.
- Oversee the implementation of process improvements, equipment upgrades, or new technologies identified during projects.
- Ensure smooth transitions by providing training and support to manufacturing teams and documenting changes in standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Post-Project Review: Conduct thorough post-project evaluations to measure results against initial objectives and identify lessons learned.
- Share best practices and integrate successful strategies into ongoing operations to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Streamlining packaging line workflows to reduce cycle times and improve throughput.
- Implementing energy efficiency initiatives to lower utility costs.
- Developing and deploying tools to enhance predictive maintenance and minimizing equipment downtime.
- Optimizing raw material usage to reduce waste while maintaining product quality.
Administrative and Misc. Support:
- Create professional board decks, reports, and presentations for the COO and other stakeholders.
- Assist with scheduling, documentation, and communication for department initiatives.
- Perform general administrative tasks as required and other duties as assigned to contribute to the success of the Manufacturing department.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- 0-3 years’ experience in a manufacturing or operations-focused role, with preference given to candidates with internship or project-based experience in a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, process optimization, and continuous improvement principles.
- Experience with KPI tracking, data analysis, and project management is a plus, but not required.
- A proactive team player with strong interpersonal skills and works collaboratively as well as effectively across functions to identify and resolve critical issues.
- Excellent planning, execution, and project management skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and familiarity with ERP systems.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
WORK ENVIROMENT:
- This position requires work in a warehouse roasting facility where there is exposure to loud equipment noise and subject to coffee dust strong odors.
- Personal protection equipment and other Good Manufacturing Practices are mandatory in specific areas.
Cascade coffee is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We celebrate our differences because we believe diversity drives innovation and leads to sustainable success. We recruit, hire and promote our partners based on capability and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Salary : $28 - $35
