Operation Manager

Reporting to Assistant Plant Manager, the Operations Manager is responsible for major key functional areas of operations. The operational responsibilities include all Production areas . The Operations Manager will effectively troubleshoot problems with other leaders and impacted employee teams. The Operations Manager will act in accordance with the laws and regulations, by practicing Westrock values, ensuring compliance of policies, procedures, and plant rules.

Position Responsibilities

• Execute activities within the scope of the Operations Manager to achieve departmental objectives, support business strategy, and achieve or exceed the annual budget.
• Responsible for the management and direct oversight of the processes in production, warehousing and packaging areas.
• Ensure daily production meets all standards and production schedules. Work proactively to determine if goals will not be met and work with the team to adjust staffing levels as needed.
• Advise on scheduling production to meet inventory goals and advise promptly when line conflicts could impact productivity and cost.
• Manage packaging lines safety, quality, design, and performance.
• Monitor and manage applicable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to sustain and improve production areas as necessary, this can include but is not limited to: Performance Metrics, Safety, Quality, Service, Efficiency, Waste, Cost, and Savings.
• Management of plant employees, which will include salaried and hourly positions. Will be responsible for selecting candidates, onboarding, and training of new employees. Will work to set and manage expectations and will provide ongoing feedback on performance.
• Support production operations by planning and budgeting. Provide data and expert knowledge in areas of responsibility. Ensure information is factual and data driven and seek review/approval from Plant Manager.
• Assist in the identification, research, proposal, implementation, and evaluation of capital investment projects.
• Participate in all equipment and system designs to control modifications of machinery to ensure progressive improvement changes while keeping the risk associated with change within reasonable limits.
• Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations regarding occupational health and food safety.
• Ensure team is working safely within all defined safety standards, and with all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain and ensure effective communication with the Plant Manager and other departments leaders. Provide feedback to appropriate leadership on performance, progress, issues and concerns, and financial variances that may impact goals or budget.
• Partner with Quality to ensure production meets the requirement of the Quality Systems, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) rules, and that all production areas comply with audit/inspection expectations.
• Ensure production areas are compliant with the established Internal Control Systems, Support audit, inspections, and inquiries.
• Integrate organizational changes and new processes. Encourage and promote operational excellence in areas of responsibility.
• Actively seek out information to understand the operating environment and share insight gained from environmental analysis with plant management where applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or state-issued equivalency certificate plus nine (9) years of production/manufacturing leadership or a Bachelor's degree plus five (5) years of production/manufacturing leadership ideally in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading salaried and hourly employees in a variety of environments.
• Experience managing budgets and production financial data is required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, is required.
• Bilingual, English, and Spanish, is highly preferred.
• Ability to work well under pressure with competing demands in a team environment is required.
• Strong understanding of computer systems and applications including Microsoft Office Suite is required. Previous experience with SAP is preferred.