Area Manager Bulk Receiving, Palletized Recei

Job Title: Area Manager – Bulk Receiving, Palletized Receiving & Batching

Location: Mishawaka, IN
Department: Operations
Reports To: Director of Plant Operations
Job Type: Exempt

About United Petfood Producers USA INC.

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! We believe in building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside and outside our fast-growing family company. By working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology, we ensure a workplace where you can grow, thrive, and help make thousands of pets happy worldwide.

Position Summary

The Area Manager – Bulk Receiving, Palletized Receiving & Batching is responsible for leading and managing daily operations across raw material receiving and batching functions. This includes oversight of inbound bulk and palletized ingredient receiving, storage, inventory accuracy, and batching operations that feed production. Reporting directly to the Director of Plant Operations, this position ensures materials are received, sampled, documented, staged, and batched safely, efficiently, and in compliance with GMP, safety, and quality standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Directly lead and support employees in bulk receiving, palletized receiving, and batching.
• Train, coach, and cross-train team members to ensure competency in receiving, sampling, documentation, and batching operations.
• Promote a safe, positive, and engaged work environment that emphasizes accountability and teamwork.
• Address employee performance, conduct, and attendance issues promptly and fairly.

Bulk & Palletized Receiving

• Oversee unloading of raw materials from bulk and palletized deliveries.
• Ensure proper sampling, testing, and verification of all inbound materials per specifications.
• Manage completion of receipts in WMS and ensure inventory transactions are accurate.
• Coordinate with production and materials planning to ensure timely staging of raw materials.
• Minimize truck wait times while maintaining food safety and compliance standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of receiving and raw material storage areas.

Batching Operations

• Ensure ingredients are set up, staged, and batched according to production schedules.
• Monitor and adjust batching processes to ensure accuracy of recipes and feed to extruders.
• Oversee changeovers, ensuring minimal downtime and proper sanitation between runs.
• Troubleshoot batching systems and equipment issues as needed.
• Maintain batching room cleanliness and compliance with sanitation requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts in receiving and batching operations.
• Identify and implement cost savings, efficiency gains, and service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, BRC, and all food safety and quality requirements.
• Participate in audits and lead corrective actions when needed.

Communication & Coordination

• Act as a key link between receiving, batching, production, and plant leadership.
• Provide clear communication to production scheduling, quality, and materials management.
• Lead employee communication meetings and daily handoffs to align teams on priorities.
• Report performance metrics, challenges, and opportunities directly to the Director of Plant Operations.

Workplace Safety

• Ensure compliance with all workplace safety policies and training requirements.
• Actively identify, report, and correct unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Lead by example in creating a safe work culture across receiving and batching.

Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure all required food safety documentation and sampling procedures are completed.
• Maintain compliance with BRC certification and company food safety standards.
• Promptly address and report food safety or quality issues.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5 years of leadership experience in receiving, batching, warehousing, or manufacturing.
• Food manufacturing or pet food industry experience highly preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to engage and motivate frontline employees.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP or warehouse management systems.
• Forklift operation knowledge/certification preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Regularly required to walk, stand, climb, bend, and communicate clearly.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs; occasional lifting up to 100 lbs.
• Work environment includes exposure to odor, noise, heat, cold, dust, chemicals, and moving machinery.
• May involve working in confined spaces and at heights.

Equal Opportunity Employer
United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.