General Manager (Food Production)

Our client is a leading manufacturer of dips, desserts, and specialty food products!

30% EBITDA Bonus
401k + 5% match
4 weeks PTO

Summary
The Site Leader leads, directs and oversees all manufacturing operations within an assigned facility location. The incumbent guides multiple supporting managers/supervisors in the areas of manufacturing, quality, maintenance, engineering, warehouse, continuous improvement, sanitation, and scheduling to ensure the timely, efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing of high-quality products.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the site operations in alignment with the company’s core values.
• Build on and develop a culture of continuous improvement (CI), aligning with the company’s CI Strategy. Focus on process improvement, cost savings opportunities, and team development.
• Utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) and action plans to help drive operational performance, model capacity constraints, drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Develop solutions that leverage the company’s volume, systems and partnerships while providing consistently high levels of customer service in a cost-effective manner.
• Create a strategy that provides for short- and long-term benefits. The strategy should include succession planning, capacity planning, capital planning, team development, alignment on systems across plants, and continuous improvement.
• Continuously evaluate manufacturing capabilities and recommend future capital expenditures to accommodate future growth and/or expand current operations.
• Utilize technology and systems to drive improvement in the process. Fully utilize the current technology, recommend new technology that will drive process improvement, and implement new systems that will be critical to a growing business.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and positive work environment
• Provide leadership in the management of product quality and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, delivering on the highest quality products for our customers.
• Clearly communicate strategies and goals to ensure that all staff are familiar and aligned on the plan. Ensure effective interchange of information between operations department and support resources at the plant.
• Demonstrate strong project management skills necessary to complete key projects, initiatives, and plans with a high level of quality and accuracy and within approved budget parameters and timeframes.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure that the HR programs and processes are properly administered; including programs that will improve morale, retention, and development of the employees.
• Mentor and develop your team to create a pathway for future growth and develop the next group of leaders in the company. Create an environment where all employees are encouraged & developed to reach their full potential in meeting department/business goals.
• Foster a strong working partnership with all functions of the business to support plant objectives. Coordinate and collaborate with other departments in the company in establishing and carrying out responsibilities.
• Partner with Finance to develop and achieve ongoing worksite budget(s).
• Lead the site operations department, including leading divisional efforts and influencing decisions that will impact the business and the plant
• Provide business leadership that demonstrates commitment to department and plant goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or manufacturing or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a manufacturing management role within the food or beverage industry or related capacity
• At least 5 years’ experience at plant management, operations management and or maintenance/engineering management level.
• Certification and training in: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, HAACP, SQF and FSMA, a plus.
• Understands principles of all functions: QA, HR, Engineering, Maintenance, Sanitation, Sales and Marketing.
• Understands Finance and KPI’s/operational measures: e.g. gross margins, cash flows, overheads, to measure and drive performance
• Strong computer literacy. Demonstrate strong capability with Word, Excel, ERP or similar.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, individuals, or outside vendors
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple priorities and strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate (verbal/writing) effectively.
• Self-motivated and strong analytical / problem solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels and from various backgrounds
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Work with minimal supervision execute for results in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to empower, motivate and inspire staff.
• Ability to lead change and execute on strategic decisions.