Operations Business Mgr

Hood Container is looking for an Operations Business Manager to serve as the customer-facing representative for Hood Container’s two (2) fulfillment operations, located within the customer’s distribution centers . This is a dedicated role, servicing the General Mills account. The ideal candidate will be self-driven, highly independent and economic thinker with proven account management experience.

Location: Golden Valley, MN currently requires 50% remote in MN / 50% in-office presence at General Mills’ world headquarters.

Travel: Currently requires approximately 15% travel (with overnights)

How you will contribute:

• Maintain a high level of customer service and work to maintain the strong relationship between Hood Container & General Mills (GMI)
• Serve as the primary representative for Hood Container operations on all customer daily, weekly, & monthly recurring meetings
• Ensure Hood Container Plant Managers & Regional Manager are informed and up-to-speed on all customer requests, events, initiatives, projections, etc
• Keep customer informed of all Hood Container safety, quality, & productivity efforts and communicate any service risks
• Ensure all customer deadlines and requests are fulfilled on-time
• Lead monthly scorecard meetings and track/report milestones, accomplishments, and variances
• Update customers leadership on key initiatives, cost updates, and operational opportunities
• Identify and lead resolution of tolling & billing inconsistencies.

Continuous Improvement Responsibilities

• Identify and implement strategies for a 5% reduction in Costs of Goods Sold each year. Work directly with Hood’s Plant Managers to develop process improvements, automation opportunities, and to maintain a cost-savings pipeline
• Assist in the development of future strategic initiatives
• Initiate capital ideas using customers processes and tools including the customers IRR calculator
• Work with Hood Container operations leadership to ensure that Hood fulfillment locations are strategically aligned, appropriately resourced, and operationally ready

Cost and Service Predictability

• With support of the Hood Operations team, lead the annual contract review or other preparations for the new fiscal year.
• Represent monthly performance: lead scorecard calls, trigger and lead action plan.
• Identify risks to budgets and lead proactive countermeasures if trending unfavorably.
• Investigate anomalies & variances prior to the scorecard meetings to the degree possible.
• Work proactively with Hood’s fulfillment locations to anticipate needs for overtime and/or labor incentives, balancing the need to meet on-time deliveries with minimizing costs

What it Takes:

• Minimum of 5 years of B2B sales or related experience strongly preferred
• Proven Success in any relevant sales or account manager position within manufacturing industry
• Personal accountability and growth mindset.
• Effective negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Demonstration of dynamic communication and interpersonal skills, able to work with all types of personalities.
• Adaptability is key as you will need to navigate and demonstrate flexibility in an environment that can be ambiguous and uncertain.
• Go-getter, self-starter, and team player.
• General high level of enthusiasm, creative, and innovative ability.
  
  Here's why you'll love working at Hood Container:
• Competitive pay & benefits: We offer a base salary based on experience, a quarterly bonus program, and a comprehensive benefits package to keep you healthy and happy.
• Continuous learning: We invest in paid training and development to help you grow your skills and advance your career.
• Caring & Empowering Company Culture: Supportive & collaborative team dedicated to seeing you unbox your potential to help make a difference & make customers happy.
• Growing Company in a Sustainable Industry: Consider a Future in Corrugated Packaging

Our goal is to have a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and customers we serve. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Hood Container Corporation is a family-owned, Mill to Market company, specializing in containerboard and kraft paper, corrugated boxes, high graphic displays, and contract packaging. Our commitment to customer happiness, employee well-being, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence drive our business. Over the last decade, Hood Container Corporation has grown to become one of the top ten Paper and Packaging Companies in the United States. To learn more about Hood Container Corporation visit www.hoodcontainer.com or check us out on social media!