Site Readiness Lead

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Site Readiness Lead! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since.

Position Location: We're all about flexibility. This will be a remote role based out of our corporate headquarters in Lakeville, MA. We are open to remote candidates.

The xELERATE Site Readiness Lead oversees the coordination and execution of all necessary preparations to ensure a site is fully prepared for operational transitions, including infrastructure setup, compliance checks, and personnel training. This role involves managing readiness assessments, monitoring risks, supporting post-go-live activities, and providing crucial updates and recommendations for go/no-go decisions to ensure seamless operational stability and effective change management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations, large project implementations, change management and project management.

A Day in the Life...

Site Assessment & Planning:

• Develop and execute the site readiness assessment of current site operations, systems, and processes to identify readiness gaps.
• Understand the required readiness activities impacting the site and drive coordination and accountability with the appropriate resources.
• Own preparation of the site readiness checklist listing activities and tasks needed to prepare and validate that sites are prepared for the transition

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the xELERATE PMO and the site-specific teams as it relates to site readiness.
• Support OCM activities by facilitating regular meetings and workshops to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and engaged.
• Communicate project status, risks, and issues to site leadership and the xELERATE PMO.
• Provide regular updates back to the PMO based on expected timeframes and cutover milestones.
• Provide input into overall site readiness for purposes of go/no-go decisions.

Risk Management:

• Identify and escalate issues, roadblocks, and additional needs that prevent the completion of readiness activities at the site
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to site readiness, including potential disruptions to manufacturing operations.
• Support the development of contingency plans to address potential challenges during the transition.

Resource Coordination:

• Ensure that all necessary resources (personnel, equipment, training, etc.) are in place for the implementation.
• Coordinate with IT, facilities, and other departments to ensure that the site infrastructure meets the requirements for SAP S/4HANA.

Organizational Change Management & Training:

• Support change management readiness activities for ‘people readiness’ at the site as part of go-live preparation.
• Support the development and delivery of training programs to ensure that site personnel are fully prepared to use the new system.

Go-Live Support:

• Provide on-site support during and after go-live to address any issues and ensure a smooth transition.

Post-Implementation Review:

• Support Hypercare processes and post go-live adoption objectives as coordinated from the project team.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future deployments.

What We Are Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.

Experience:

• 7 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Proven experience in leading or supporting ERP implementations, particularly SAP S/4HANA.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how they integrate with ERP systems.

Skills:

• Excellent project management skills, with a strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with change management methodologies and tools.
• Proficiency in SAP S/4HANA or similar ERP systems.

Working Conditions:

• The role requires frequent travel to the manufacturing site and may involve extended hours during critical phases of the project.

Education:

Bachelor of Science (Required)

Work Experience:

At least 7 Years of Experience

Annual Salary:

0

The base salary range information above serves as a guideline of the position’s typical hiring range. We value and appreciate what makes you unique and will consider a variety of factors when determining an offer. These factors include, but are not limited to, your skills and experience, external and internal benchmarks, as well as overall company considerations. Certain positions may be eligible for short-term and long- term incentive rewards. We also offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being.

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
  • Health, Dental and Vision insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Flexible spending account
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Telehealth services
  • Fertility benefits
  • Transgender benefits
  • 1:1 health coaching and more
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike-we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.