Director of Operations

Insero Talent Solutions is recruiting a Director of Operations for a bakery manufacturing company in Rochester, NY.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Operations is responsible for management of all bakery manufacturing operations.

The director will lead a team of production workers, and oversee equipment maintenance, managing production schedules, optimizing processes, driving operating efficiencies and financial stability, ensuring the highest levels of product quality and consistency, and enforcement of compliance with health and safety regulations. Must-have attributes include strong leadership skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, financial acumen, and a comprehensive understanding of food production systems and key operations performance metrics.

In addition to manufacturing operations excellence, is the ability to create an inclusive work environment which provides meaningful training and employment for production team members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the ability to work collaboratively with habilitative staff providing supports.

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Production Planning & Scheduling: with Bakery Manager, create and implement production plans, ensuring goals for quality, quantity, and delivery are met.
• Management of Production and Support Staff: Lead and motivate production and support staff, promoting a safe, inclusive work environment which has quality as an imperative goal.
• Manages training of staff and develops succession plan for the operations team
• Leads seasonal hiring if necessary and works closely with temporary staffing agencies as needed.
• Continuously improve production processes and efficiency, manage waste and enhance on-time delivery and management of high-volume production. Prepare required daily production reports and consistently meet or exceed all targeted operational KPI’s. Priorities include but are not limited to: Adherence to quality metrics inclusive of product quality, consistency, plant safety and sanitation protocols; accurate production planning and outputs; on-time delivery; meeting financial projections.
• Quality Control: With Bakery Manager and other key production staff, ensure consistent product quality and adherence to product specifications. Assist in maintaining SQF certification with quality control.
• Enforce a culture of compliance with respect to health and safety; ensure all safety, health, and sanitation protocols are up-to-date, and that staff is fully trained at regular intervals. Work collaboratively with Quality Assurance Consultants.
• Equipment & Maintenance: Oversee equipment operation and maintenance, work with the maintenance team to minimize downtime, and ensure cleanliness standards are met. Maintain short and long-term equipment maintenance and replacement plans.
• Effective financial management of the operation, inclusive of creation of annual operating budget and oversight of purchasing, inventory management and other key financial metrics. Collaborate with sales team on forecasts, budget creation.
• Front-line key customer relationship management with specific focus on quality and on-time delivery. Take lead in customer meetings as requested.
• Represent the bakery at monthly meetings of the Board of Directors.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Production Management experience in a food manufacturing facility (5 years).
• Previous experience managing capex projects (vendor selection through negotiation and installation).
• Experience with implementation and compliance related to high level quality and safety standards. Strong working knowledge of GFSI food safety systems (preferably SQF) with a proven track record of consistently high audit results.
• Dynamic leader who can motivate team members; strong management skills to lead a diverse workforce of people of all abilities.
• Experience in high-volume bakery production is preferred.
• Knowledge of bakery production preferred, knowledge of ingredients, and quality standards.
• Ability to develop, review and analyze budgets and financial models.
• Experience working collaboratively with sales teams on producing an annual operating budget as well as optimizing production planning through regular forecasting meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, engineering, business or related field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ supervisory experience in manufacturing operations.
• Proven past success in high volume production operations environment.
• Computer skills: must possess MS Office skills; knowledge of ERP manufacturing software applications
• Strong communications skills with employees at all levels of organization.