GA Operations Manager

Position Summary:

The Operations Manager will report directly to the Plant Manager and be responsible for working with the Operations and Technical teams to drive operational improvements. This is an Exempt position. Activities will include coaching & developing frontline leaders and employees, improving line efficiencies, reducing material & yield losses, and improving equipment reliability. The individual needs to be capable of managing a budget and meeting or exceeding cost per case objectives.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced production manager to work with a Plant and Corporate leadership team focused on operational excellence and strong cost management. The successful candidate will have strong mechanical, analytical and problem solving skills, be self-motivated, data driven, have a strong desire to succeed, and be capable of leading in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Job Description:

• Work with operations and the technical group to identify productivity improvements that impact: quality, cost, performance, and preventive and predictive maintenance

• Build people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for front-line hourly and salaried personnel

• Partner with site Human resources leader to ensure fair and consistent administration of all policies, work rules and processes

• Develop team to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals

• Deliver effective change leadership to drive business changes while minimizing people impact

• Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally to assist team to solve operational issues

• Motivate team members to achieve plan goals

• Identify and coordinate operational improvements necessary to deliver the site annual operating plan (AOP). Ensure cost performance gaps are identified, action plans are developed and resources are properly allocated

• Plan and manage department budget

• Optimize operational efficiencies to support production, warehouse, and shipping of products

• Track operational output measures (i.e. efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, transactional accuracy), anticipating and correcting trends which would compromise achievement of financial targets

• Follow the escalation process to address and respond to abnormalities. Notify the team and orchestrate a plan for potential outages that affect the entire operation

• Flex production plans on a shift by shift basis to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies

• Partner with corporate and site planning groups to optimize production scheduling. Analyze forecast to determine future production and downtime needs

• Optimize ingredient and packaging material used to minimize scrap loss

• Build strong relationships with the leadership, technical, and operations teams to effectively drive process improvements

• Comply with all Sunny Delight Beverages policies and procedures

• Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as required

• Ensure team compliance with all safety policies and procedures

• Maintain product quality and sanitation standards
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree required; Concentration in business, engineering or operations management preferred

• 5 years' experience in manufacturing. Preferably food/beverage manufacturing experience

• Preferably 2-3 years of continuous improvement (CI), or similar experience in a manufacturing environment.

• 1-2 years' experience implementing lean manufacturing/continuous improvement preferred

• Lean knowledge and experience: green belt certification preferred

• 1-2 years' experience, knowledge and capability in TPM

• Project management experience with a proven ability to establish a clear tracking and reporting system (i.e. on Excel, Minitab, MS Project, etc.)

• Strong computer skills: including Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook)

• Experience with databases and data analysis

• Experience with statistical software (excel, Minitab)

• Process knowledge with an understanding of customer requirements and basic business practices

• Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed to drive improvements across multiple shifts

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities

• Must be able to drive results and work independently and effectively in a team setting
  

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protect.