The Vice President of Manufacturing will oversee manufacturing operations across four food processing sites, focusing on repack, conversion, jar goods, and more. This role emphasizes performance, employee safety, food quality and safety, and environmental compliance. The VP will develop, implement and monitor a variety of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, standards, quality, employee and food safety, labor management, and customer focus. They will also identify and resolve inefficiencies, working with Plant Managers to enhance plant performance and maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management:
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to the manufacturing team across all sites in daily operations, special projects, and audits
- Drive a culture that upholds our values, continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance
- Develop and mentor plant managers and other key personnel, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline.
Operational Excellence:
- Oversee daily operations of the four food manufacturing sites to ensure efficiency and effectiveness
- Ensure products are manufactured and packaged on schedule, within quality standards and meeting cost objectives
- Implement and monitor KPIs to drive safety, people, quality, productivity, and cost management
- Develop and enforce operational standards, procedures, and policies to ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies.
Productivity and Standards:
- Set and achieve production goals, ensuring optimal use of resources and minimizing waste
- Drive standardization of processes across all sites to ensure consistency and reliability
- Establishes best practices with strong emphasis on production efficiencies, safety, compliance and asset utilization
- Utilize lean manufacturing principles to streamline operations and improve productivity.
Quality Assurance:
- Ensure that all products meet or exceed quality standards and customer expectations
- Implement and maintain rigorous quality control systems and procedures
- Address and resolve quality issues promptly and effectively.
Safety and Compliance:
- Promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all safety regulations and best practices
- Develop and implement safety programs and training to minimize workplace accidents and injuries
- Conduct regular safety audits and inspections.
Labor Management:
- Oversee labor planning and workforce management to optimize labor costs and productivity
- Develop and implement labor strategies to attract, retain, and motivate employees
- Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations.
Customer Focus:
- Work closely with sales and customer service teams to ensure customer requirements are met
- Address customer concerns and issues related to manufacturing promptly and effectively
- Develop strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Financial Management:
- Develop and manage budgets for the manufacturing sites
- Monitor financial performance and implement cost control measures
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven track record of managing multi-site manufacturing operations, preferably in the food industry.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety regulations; food safety and regulations a plus.
- Strong knowledge and execution of lean principles; six sigma a plus.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to drive change and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to travel between sites as needed.
Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking
- Operational Excellence
- Leadership and Team Development
- Quality Focus
- Customer Orientation
- Financial Acumen
- Safety Awareness
- Problem Solving
