Process Department Manager

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for a role, Process Department Manager.

Baltimore, Maryland

A leading global food manufacturer is seeking an experienced operations leader to oversee a critical processing department within a large, continuous-process refinery operation.

Position Overview

The Process Department Manager will plan, coordinate, manage, and control raw material and processing operations for the refinery. This leader will be accountable for operational efficiency, product quality, production costs, process losses, environmental performance, and compliance with established safety and sanitation standards.

The role directly leads Process Team Managers, Process Supervisors, and Process Engineers and provides indirect leadership to hourly union employees. The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with visible, floor-oriented leadership and the ability to build accountability across a complex manufacturing organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Review daily and weekly process performance with department leaders to improve overall refinery efficiency.
• Coordinate production priorities with Logistics based on inventory levels and anticipated customer demand.
• Direct the daily and weekly activities of Process Team Managers, Process Supervisors, and Process Engineers.
• Review operational results with plant leadership, identify risks affecting customer delivery, product quality, or production demand, and recommend solutions.
• Partner with Maintenance on shutdown, repair, and cleaning schedules to minimize cost and disruption to production and quality.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement plans that strengthen safety, quality, yield, cost, and departmental performance.
• Assess long-range department needs and support capital project planning and execution.
• Partner with supervisors and engineers on employee training, cost-reduction initiatives, and plant-wide priorities.
• Improve unit-operation efficiency and reduce process losses through data-driven analysis and disciplined execution.
• Build a culture of ownership and accountability through consistent coaching, feedback, and performance leadership.
• Use laboratory data and online process instrumentation to troubleshoot production issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally on daily operations, special projects, and broader plant goals.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline from an accredited college or university required.
• Five or more years of operations leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Industrial food processing experience required; leadership experience in continuous-process food manufacturing strongly preferred.

Key Leadership and Technical Capabilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams through change while strengthening ownership, accountability, and performance.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
• Working knowledge of safety management systems, including risk assessments, safety audits, permits to work, and related processes.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and train employees in a team-based environment.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and lead through influence.
• Formal Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement training preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to personal safety and the safety of others.

SE#510820813