Packaging Operations Manager Jobs

Business Unit Overview

8th Avenue Food & Provisions is a growing organization made up of businesses that produce and sell quality products including pasta, peanut butter, granola, and fruit and nut trail mixes to retail, foodservice and ingredient customers. The company was formed in October 2018 through a combination of Post Holdings’ private brands businesses and is owned by Post Holdings and funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a private equity firm.

Responsibilities

Position Summary:

Our Packaging Manager plays a key role at the Winchester facility. This role is responsible for guiding a team of 55+ Operations and leadership employees to safely meet current Packaging needs and help us prepare for the future. To tackle the issues in the short and long term, our Packaging Manager leverages analysis of assets, processes, people, and outputs to help the business make improvements and meet customer needs. This role has a strong focus on the technical skills of our packaging operators, delivering packaging KPI’s, and leadership development of front-line staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Other duties, as assigned
• Leverage data and changing business needs to identify next-best investments for capital expenses. Partner with Plant Engineering, Operations, Finance, Quality Assurance, Planning, and Human Resources functions to scope/design cross functional projects that reduce costs, increase EBITDA, and improve quality. Provide technical input during project planning and execution phases to mitigate safety, production, and quality risks, while meeting customer demand
• Partner with the Health & Safety function to proactively identify gaps in employee health and safety programs, methods, and procedures. Use findings and develop strategic approach to improve employee safety within the workplace
• Designs and deploys comprehensive technical training program for front line Packaging roles (Machine Operators, Set Up Operators, etc.)
• Interact with OEMs, vendors and other external groups to support the successful operation of the packaging department
• Serves as technical subject matter expert to assist customers, sales, and vendors in translating product needs into real packaging system operational requirements
• Partner with Plant Manager and Human Resources Manager to identify current state of technical and leadership gaps; prioritize opportunities for improvement of capabilities in front line staff, and develop plan to improve front-line staff through training, process development, process improvement, and experiential learning
• Identify, develop, lead & execute equipment and system improvements that deliver financial and performance benefits. (overuse reduction, reliability improvements)
• Develops, documents, and maintains standard and optimized operating procedures for all conveying and storage, scale, vertical bagging, cartoning, case-packing, and robotic packaging systems
• Leverage lean manufacturing processes to drive continuous process improvements in quality, productivity, sanitation, and safety
• Partners with Quality Assurance function to diagnose issues regarding quality within the operations group. Leverage trends to tackle repeated issues, and improve product quality for customers
• Demonstrate ownership of department budget by monitoring historical expenses in the areas of: labor, repairs and maintenance, energy management, materials and supplies, and training. Reference technical knowledge, business volume, and critical metrics to set plans that ensure better yield, lower waste, and improved quality to meet customer demand
• Leverage 5S, lean, and continuous improvement methodologies to drive improved throughput for respective department, while reducing expenses
• Perform analysis on department equipment and processes; set packaging goals and develop project plans for department to drive maximized production, minimize waste, and achieve customer needs. In partnership with operations leadership team, leverage trend and gap analysis techniques to drive continuous improvement for capital projects and preventive/predictive maintenance programs
• Coach and provide technical expertise on foundational systems (process centerline, CILs, basic conditions, etc.)

Education and Experience Required:

• Previous experience developing and managing a department budget
• 5+ years manufacturing experience with packaging equipment (scales, baggers, cartoners, case packers, palletizers, etc.)
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and extra hours, as needed
• Previous experience with process design or continuous improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering
• Previous experience with advanced Microsoft Excel functions (formula development, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, conditional formatting, text-to-columns)

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Previous experience in a food manufacturing facility
• Must be able to handle multiple priorities with professionalism in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining safety and quality
• Previous experience developing capital projects

Physical Requirements: Qualified applicants must be able to perform the following physical job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Much be able to crouch, kneel and stoop for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to bend and crawl for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to work in crowded spaces for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to climb ladders for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to perform simple grasping, push, pull, perform fine manipulation, and feel for 6+ hours per shift
• Must be able to sit, stand and walk for 6+ hours per shift
• Must be able to work in hot, humid, and cold manufacturing environment
• Must be able to lift up-to 50 pounds
• Must be able to make fine distinctions in sound, express and exchange written or spoken word, and distinguish objects and equipment visually