Director of Manufacturing

Director of Manufacturing

We are looking for a Director of Manufacturing for a long-standing dairy company whose products have been enjoyed for over a hundred years. They focus on producing innovative, high-quality products and taking care of their team members. The Director of Manufacturing will manage all core production activities for all shifts including sanitation while ensuring Team Member safety, food safety, food quality and GMPs. The Director of Manufacturing will report directly to the VP of Operations.

Location: Western New York, about 45 mins from Buffalo

Job Responsibilities:

• Drives continuous improvement efforts, including facilitating the vision, execution and communication of Continuous Improvement practices.
• Assure team members understand and comply with GMP and safe work practices.
• Coordinate with the VP of Operations to establish prioritization of projects to reduce waste, improve quality, and reduce conversion costs.
• Teach, mentor, and develop front-line supervisors in lean methods and processes by working side by side on Continuous Improvement initiatives and process improvements
• Collaborate with Contract Sales, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Quality teams in the development of production capacity targets and scheduling optimization.
• Responsible for creating budgetary objectives and financial performance to established goals
• Establish a daily scorecard and monitor KPI results; explain variances and partner with peers to resolve gaps in performance.
• Manage capital improvement projects from conception, approval, implementation, and standardization.
• Work closely with UAW Union leadership and Joint Operations Leadership Team (JOLT) to assure a proactive and highly effective labor-management relationship.
• Assist in regulatory and customer visits to create a strong linkage with the manufacturing leadership and our partners.
• Provide front line leadership and business unit direction in creating well-organized and functioning teams and structure.
• Mentors and motivates professionals, providing training and development to optimize their performance and personal growth.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Dairy or Food Science, or a related area
• 7+ years of leadership experience in a multi-SKU Food Manufacturing Environment (dairy preferred)
• Experience and knowledge of fluid process piping, thermal processing, CIP systems, automated valves, pumps, PLC’s, SCADA, and related technology.
• Demonstrated history of enlisting fellow team members to a shared vision, demonstrated ability to lead people and get results.
• Strong understanding of industrial Safety – PPE, Ergonomics, housekeeping, OSHA standards and HAZMAT
• Proven ability to organize and manage multiple priorities with a balance for gaining consensus and ownership, with decisiveness and timeliness
• Resourceful and efficient at executing a wide range of facility, equipment and process improvements.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing; six sigma certification preferred