Director of Manufacturing                     

We are looking for a Director of Manufacturing for an established food manufacturing company. This role will play an integral part in managing production activities while ensuring team & food safety, quality and GMP’s. The Director of Manufacturing will join a long-standing Western New York company that will be commissioning a brand-new product line in the near future and continue to promote a culture of continuous improvement. This position 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