Production Manager

As part of the Site Leadership Team, this position is a high-visibility role responsible for safety, quality, cost, delivery, production, and housekeeping in assigned departments within and across the Cincinnati South Terminal. This position leads an organization of ~70+ in flaking, pastillation, production, and packaging. They will set direction to achieve strategic site objectives through 5+ direct reports of supervisors and production experts.

The preferred candidate will drive a culture of compliance, ownership, and continuous improvement by blending an understanding of Operational Excellence with a working knowledge of equipment, processes, and systems while engaging, coaching, and inspiring leadership in the site’s activities that align with the strategic vision per recurring strategic planning. Responsible for direct-facing customer communications.

Requirements:

Education, Credentials, Licenses:

• B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.

Kind & Length of Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience within fluid handling and/or non-hazardous chemical processing, or related manufacturing facility preferred.
• Position requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Position requires deep understanding of process control and process improvement via structured problem-solving.
• Experience leading diverse production/operations teams in lean manufacturing environments.

Job Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the performance and results of a large team spanning 4 shifts. Current shifts are 12 hours on a 2-2-3 schedule working 24/7 with personnel working 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM. Must be flexible to support all hours of operations and available to make decisions and direct resources.
• Exercises full management authority, including performance reviews, pay decisions, recruitment, discipline, termination, and other personnel actions.
• Reviews and approves operating procedures, change controls, and deviations.
• Responsible for the team health of the department and the retention and development of top performers through the department’s tiered training system.
• Promotes a Safety Culture through team near miss reporting and real-time problem solving.
• Will promote a learning environment with focus on continuous improvement using tools from Kaizen and Gemba to deliver better business outcomes and safer and more compliant routines within the production department.
• Accountable for the performance and results of a team to include quality and compliance. This person will be expected to have business acumen to give input to and develop annual operating plans, head count, expenses, and investment activities to support and set business objectives with senior management.
• Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges. Decisions guided by policies, procedures, and business plan; receives guidance from senior management.
• Align assigned team with organizational objectives through key performance indicator development and maintain focus through daily huddles, one-on-ones, and other meetings, as necessary.
• Create multiple forecasts and budgets throughout the year per organizational need.
• Provide active leadership in site’s capital budgeting process.
• Communicate strategic vision throughout the organization and how daily work aligns with strategic vision.
• Communicate progress toward key performance indicator goal attainment through daily management boards (i.e., huddle boards), where appropriate.
• Relentlessly pursue continuous improvement activities to achieve world-class organizational performance to support strategic vision.
• Deliberately act to establish a continuous improvement culture, tactfully challenging others to improve individual and group performance, engaging the entire workforce.
• Hands-on experience leading work kaizen, equipment kaizen, and process kaizen.
• Teach and guide colleagues on work kaizen, equipment kaizen, and process kaizen.
• Deep understanding of Plan-Do-Check (PDCA) cycle through PDCA and/or Toyota Kata.
• Calculate and present cost-savings opportunities across the organization and to customers, as directed, for proposed cost-reduction initiatives to respective management teams.
• Work with internal and external suppliers to establish just-in-time production control measures.
• Teach and guide colleagues through Total Productive Maintenance implementation as Site Autonomous Maintenance Leader.
• Encourage innovation during brainstorming sessions to challenge current paradigms.
• Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule, inclusive of 24/7 remote support.
• Complete all required training assignments.
• Adhere to all environmental, health, safety, and security requirements covered under local, state, and federal regulations.
• Follow all RC14001 guiding principles, policies, procedures, and other requirements.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Inspire, motivate and lead.
• Self-directed with ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to solve problems of complex/strategic scope.
• Creates space for front-line problem solving.
• Maintain a safe, legal and environmentally protective operation.
• Willing and eager to learn.
• Listen to our customers, suppliers, and employees.
• Respond quickly to customer concerns.
• Follow set guidelines for GMP, quality, and food safety requirements.
• Maintain training on applicable procedures in quality, GMP, and food safety.
• Report any food safety, security, and/or quality issues to management or the HACCP team to initiate action.
• Provide flexible and innovative strategies to support new business opportunities.
• Be cost-effective in the utilization of our resources, thereby contributing to the profitability of Peter Cremer North America, LP and our customers.
• Strive for continued improvement.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, including childbirth or any related condition, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local laws.