Demo

Area Leader

The J.M. Smucker Co.
Emporia, KS Full Time
POSTED ON 1/13/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/13/2026
Your Opportunity as an Area Leader

The Area Leader will be responsible for the leadership and business results of a team of hourly Technicians and Team Leaders; ensure the team meets safety, quality, and operational standards; and facilitate team development and skill building through coaching and mentoring team members.

Location: 1525 Industrial Road Emporia, KS (Hostess Manufacturing Plant)

Work Arrangements: 100% on-site. Day Shift (flexibility required)

In This Role You Will

  • Champions department daily plan and following through on open items needed by the team. Participates in the department Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meetings
  • Accountable for the daily operations and team performance (Safety, Quality, Reliability, Cost, Org. Capability)
  • Role models our Basic Beliefs, Our Commitment to Each Other, and Emotional Intelligence to build resonance
  • Works with operating teams to address safety concerns and assist in resolution
  • Responsible for driving department issues to root cause and developing a zero-loss and continuous improvement culture
  • Performance management, staffing strategy and developing a “flow to the work” culture
  • Partner with Manager in developing and delivering Department Master Plan
  • Ensures that essential business information and general expectations are clearly communicated and understood by all members of the team
  • Develop and coach operational and leadership skills of Team Leaders and Technicians to enhance peak performance through Smucker Quality Management Systems (SQMS) and High-Performance Organization (HPO) tools and design principles
  • Assist in developing and executing key technical and organizational projects while increasing Smucker Quality Management System (SQMS) capability within the organization
  • Responsible to collaborate across all pillars and leadership
  • Acts as the technical resource for operating teams

The Right Role for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Minimum Requirements

What We are Looking For:

  • 5 years relevant management experience
  • 2 years of manufacturing operational experience
  • 2 years of experience as a supervisor is required

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

  • A bachelor’s degree is preferred (preferably an Engineering degree)
  • Experience coaching, developing, and leading others
  • Project planning experience
  • Prior experience managing people and/or teams in a high-performance work environment
  • Food processing, pet, or human food manufacturing, and/or engineering experience

Work Environment: This job operates in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing sites can be high.

Physical Demands

  • Regularly required to talk and hear.
  • Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
  • Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
  • Able to lift objects up to 50 pounds frequently.
  • May push and pull heavy equipment.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Learn More About Working At Smucker  

Helping our Employees Thrive

Delivering on Our Purpose 

Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All 

Follow us on LinkedIn®

#INDSA

Salary.com Estimation for Area Leader in Emporia, KS
$163,818 to $214,290
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