Manufacturing Operations Manager chez Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

Description

Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910

Join the always-growing Team at Ellsworth Creamery as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese!

Job Title:   Manufacturing Operations Manager 

Reports To:   Plant Manager

Status:     Exempt/Salaried

Supervises: Plant Manufacturing Team(s)

General Description: Manage the manufacturing functions within the facility and lead team members in daily operations. Accountable for safety, quality, performance and continuous improvement while positively promoting mission and culture.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Talent Management

• Advocates effective execution of the performance management process by collaborating with direct report/s to set clear objectives, goals and expectations. Conducts regular coaching and constructive feedback discussions to review performance and goal progress, assist with challenges, and identify strengths and development areas, all to support employee’s professional and career development, while increasing engagement and motivation.
• Supports workforce planning and talent acquisition strategies by effectively staffing and hiring diverse talent for the organization.
• Addresses employee relations and performance issues in a timely manner and/or make appropriate decisions relative to performance challenges.

Operations Management

• Demonstrate understanding of High-Performance Work Systems (MDI, AM, PM, Attainment, 6S, etc.) and how to use those systems within a High-Performance Work Team environment to drive employee development.
• Organize and communicate daily schedule, monitor and coordinate activities to meet production requirements, and make decisions and resolve problems on issues with scheduling, equipment, quality, safety, sanitation and other production related matters.
• Responsible for retention of employees and actively drives improvement within the manufacturing environment.
• Develop and implement standard operating methods and procedures to maximize production efficiency and control costs.
• Develop and achieve understanding and results of performance indicators and metrics across facility.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality programs (HACCP, SQF) and assist in resolving food safety/defense issues. Has back-up responsibilities for, and is backed up by, as defined by the Facility Org Chart and Back-up Responsibilities chart.
• Collaborate with other functional areas such as Maintenance, Technology / R&D, and Safety relative to facility capital projects, changes / improvements to plant processes, and modifications and implementation of equipment.
• Ensure all required documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting takes place as is required by law and/or regulatory agencies, (i.e., OSHA, DNR, USDA, FDA, EEOC, DOL, IMS, WDA, SQF, etc.).

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Reduce waste and drive best practices across the organization using Lean Methodologies (e.g., Standard Work, 6S, Value Stream Mapping, DMAIC Problem Solving, Kaizen, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Drive towards continuous improvement of the facility programs on a regular basis utilizing a well-established Productivity Pipeline and a Focus Improvement action register.
• Participates in CI projects and promotes a CI learning environment and mindset.
• Create and maintain a sustainment audit system to ensure that gains realized during continuous improvement activities are sustained.
• Analyze workforce utilization, facility layout, and operational data, such as production costs, process flow charts, and production schedules to determine efficient utilization of workers and equipment.
• Create and maintain documentation relevant to all continuous improvement activities so that metrics can be tracked (e.g., current state, future state, value stream maps, improvement gains as a result of continuous improvement, etc.)
• Use ERP systems to compile data necessary to assist and support continuous improvement project selection and implementation.
• Implement key fundamentals of Lean Six Sigma manufacturing to assess, audit and evaluate current processes within assigned factories and facilities to identify potential gaps and/or waste, and implement effective changes to eliminate waste, maximize value, reduce variation, etc.

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in leadership, Business Management or similar. 
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, with at least 4 years in the food or beverage manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DNR, and food safety-related regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and training skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Self-motivated and driven – strive to deliver great results.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to operate normal office equipment.
• Extensive use of computers.
• Must be able to pass a drug and alcohol screen as well as a general background check.
• Ability to move and lift to 50lbs.

Work Environment / Environment Condition:

• A mixture of office and dairy plant environments.
• Dairy Plant atmosphere may be humid, hot, and dependent on weather. 
• Must adhere to all food and plant safety policies and regulations.

ABOUT ELLSWORTH CREAMERY: At Ellsworth Creamery, our team members are more than employees; you are like family and we want you to succeed. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Benefits Package:

• Full Time employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st of the month, following 30 days of employment.
• Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital insurances available.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other free resources.
• 401k match, Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay!