The Senior Operations Manager will ensure that production resources meet the safety, quality, cost, and delivery expectations over a three-shift operation. This position is additionally responsible for developing their team, setting direction, and enabling their team to drive results. The Senior Operations Manager will be a leader in implementing and influencing a continuous improvement culture across the Operations department based on the WCOM (World Class Operations Management) and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) philosophy, implementing a culture of continuous improvement to increases operational efficiencies and productivity through a TPM Pillar approach and launching cross functional teams to eliminate losses.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster a safe working environment promoting safety related processes and procedures - Work towards 0 accidents
• Shows strong leadership in promoting safety processes and procedures
• Enforce and coach on all internal and external safety regulations.
• Be familiar with State and Federal Safety Requirements.
• Responsible to maintain and improve existing HACCP and other quality programs.
• Ensure quality deviations are reviewed and corrective actions to avoid reoccurrence are identified.
• Ensure that sanitation and housekeeping of assigned areas meet Ghirardelli standards as well as regulatory requirements.
• Hold employees accountable for the quality of product.
• Manage labor and material variances and develop action plans to reduce costs.
• Drive improvements to line efficiencies through the development and execution of improvement plans and corrective actions for deviations from standard.
• Participate in long-term capital planning.
• Control production department budgets in respective areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for material flow and material usage in the assigned area.
• Effectively communicate across the organization, including Production, Warehouse, Planning, Human Resources and other departments
• Fosters and promotes a culture of teamwork between all plant departments
• Motivate plant employees by recognizing positive achievements with regard to safe practices, work quality, attitude, attendance, follow-through and organization.
• Leadership, coaching and development of direct report salaried production supervisors.
• Work closely together with Human Resources department to guarantee that all labor issues are addressed in a timely manner and according to the union contract.
• Participate and drive resolution with grievance meetings, contract negotiations, mediation and arbitration as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement projects in area, working closely with Industrial Performance, QA, Scheduling, Maintenance, R&D and Engineering
• Support Engineering Department when new processes and machinery are designed, built, installed and trained for. Meet with Engineering on all new design reviews for installations and upgrades
• Lead the implementation of TPM philosophy within their area to prioritize projects to improve the factory efficiency and losses
• Hire, develop and manage performance of team. Create an inclusive environment that embraces our values and purpose.
• Provide direct support to other areas of Supply chain, such as Co-Pack, Supply Planning, etc.
• Utilizes expertise in the organization to drive key initiatives
• May perform other duties as assigned.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned or as necessary.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• BA degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related discipline and minimum 8 years of related experience
• 2-3 years of direct supervision experience
• 1-2 years of department manager experience
• Previous experience in chocolate manufacturing and/or consumer packaging goods (CPG) preferred
• Deductive reasoning, strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Employs Lean tools in order to accomplish business objectives
• Applies a structured methodology and lead change management activities
• Ability to direct and lead direct reports with strong skills in leading, organizing and developing people
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to set expectations and hold employees accountable
• Ability to set priorities and to be self-disciplined and consistent
• Good written and oral communications skills
• Ability to develop and implement action steps and follow through with the people responsible for them
• Ability to work effectively in a union environment and gain knowledge of the Union Contract
• Good knowledge of food processing and packaging machinery
• Computer literacy in MS Office
• Experience with SAP a plus

Other Job Requirements

• Required to regularly sit. Occasionally required to stand or walk.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• This position must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail.
• Potential for very warm or very cold working environment/depending on area of assignment.
• Interfacing with various manufacturing equipment and office computer equipment.
• Regular communication with direct reports and internal and/or external customers
• Must be able to kneel, bend, crouch and climb as required
• Must be capable of using protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection, etc.
• Flexibility around work hours to interact with key employees on all shifts.

Salary: $144773 - $160000 / year