Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Operations Manager is responsible for all production activities of 3 hot fill bottling lines. This position is responsible for driving plant performance, continuous improvement, fulfilling customer orders, while ensuring employees always work safe and world-class quality is produced, all in an effort to delight our customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Evaluates production schedules to ensure most efficient schedule is run.
2. Reviews staffing requirements to ensure staffing is accurate and efficient. Minimizes overtime costs.
3. Reviews material/ingredient consumption to ensure everything is accounted for properly.
4. Responsible for measuring and improving product/material yields. Determines causes of high scrap and implements corrective actions to reduce.
5. Intimately involved in day-to-day performance and seeks to determine root causes of performance failures.
6. Works with maintenance team to advise on maintenance/repair issues and improve the maintenance system to minimize down time and loss of production.
7. Manages assigned budget.
8. Drives a safety-first culture.
9. Ensures compliance with GMPs, good housekeeping standards, and 5S standards within the juice department.
10. Takes full ownership of quality of the product and ensures that quality and food safety standards are being met. Takes appropriate measures when alerted of quality issue.
11. Recommends and implements procedures to promote quality/food safety.
12. Maintains an “audit-ready” department and takes active role in external and internal audits.
13. Participates on the HACCP/HARPC team.
14. Promotes efficient use of available personnel through documented training, and performance standards. Minimizes overtime through scheduling.
15. Promptly informs Plant Manager of known or anticipated problems.
16. Head of department who effectively communicates to other departments.
17. Works cross-functionally with maintenance, quality, HR, finance & supply chain.
18. Responsible for leading team to achieve departmental goals/objectives under the direction of the Plant Manager.
19. Oversees and encourages professional development of salaried subordinates.
20. Ensures that G.M.P.'s are followed throughout area of responsibility.
21. Communicates with packaging and equipment vendors to resolve issues.
22. Communicates with co-pack customers, helping them with any issues and instilling their confidence in Sunsweet as a top-quality packer.
23. Facilitates communication of company mission, programs, directives, and goals to and among assigned personnel.
24. Demonstrates commitment to continued personal/professional growth and development.
25. Respects confidentiality of privileged information
26. Perform other duties as directed to benefit overall effort of the Company.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Skills: 

• Good problem-solving ability with successful experience in a team building environment.
• Trouble shooting expertise in a manufacturing environment.
• Effective at promoting positive employee relations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of business support software, such as SAP.
• Intermediate skill level in the proficiency of using a personal computer and Word, Excel, and email programs such as GroupWise.

Ability to: 

• Ability and willingness to work any shift as business conditions require.
• Limited travel required.

Education and Experience: 

• 4-year degree in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management.
• 5-10 years of supervisory or Leadership experience in manufacturing with preferred experience in food processing, bottling and or food packaging.

Physical/Safety Requirements: 

• Tolerate extended periods of sitting at desk.
• Tolerate extended periods on the production floor resolving issues or coaching the team.
• Ambient noise is louder than a traditional office setting.