What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Excellence Manager position at Dainty Foods (DAINTY USA LOCATION)?
Dainty USA is a leading North American food manufacturer with more than 140 years of experience producing high-quality foods people know and trust. As we launch our new manufacturing facility in Batavia, Ohio, we're looking for an experienced Manufacturing Excellence Manager to build our operational excellence, TPM, and continuous improvement culture from the ground up.
About the Role
Reporting to the General Manager, the Manufacturing Excellence Manager will lead the development of operational systems that drive performance, capability building, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement. This role will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance to improve productivity, quality, safety, and overall plant performance.
What You'll Do
- Lead the implementation and deployment of TPM and Manufacturing Excellence programs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on OEE, waste reduction, productivity, yield, and operational performance.
- Develop and coach teams on Lean Manufacturing, problem-solving, standard work, and daily management systems.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, root cause analysis, and performance improvement projects.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to improve equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
- Build training programs, performance standards, and operational best practices.
- Support start-up activities, commissioning, and the successful launch of a new manufacturing facility.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, FSMA, GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- 7 years of manufacturing, operational excellence, or continuous improvement leadership experience.
- Proven experience leading TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or manufacturing transformation initiatives.
- Strong understanding of OEE, KPI management, standard work, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Excellent leadership, facilitation, coaching, project management, and communication skills.
- Food manufacturing or other regulated industry experience preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting a manufacturing start-up, greenfield facility, or major expansion.
- Hands-on experience with TPM pillar leadership, Kaizen, SMED, DMAIC, A3, and Lean tools.
- Experience developing technical training programs and frontline capability.
- Experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
Why Join Dainty USA?
This is an exciting opportunity to build a culture of operational excellence while helping launch a world-class manufacturing facility.
You'll have the opportunity to:
- Build Manufacturing Excellence and TPM systems from the ground up.
- Shape the culture and performance standards of a new manufacturing operation.
- Work alongside an experienced and collaborative leadership team.
- Grow your career with a company committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Our Values
At Dainty USA, our values guide everything we do.
- Customer First, Always
- Quality Without Compromise
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
- One Team, Many Voices
- Celebrate the Everyday
- Driven by Curiosity, Guided by Passion
Ready to Build the Future With Us?
If you're passionate about operational excellence, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement—and excited by the opportunity to build a best-in-class manufacturing operation from day one—we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of Dainty USA in Batavia, Ohio.
Dainty USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Work Location: In person