Area Leader, Plant

The J.M. Smucker Co.•Orrville, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is for an Area Leader in Orrville, Ohio, responsible for managing a team of 36 hourly technicians across 2 shifts in a 24/7 operating department. The Area Leader will own the safety, quality, and reliability of a production line, manage team leaders and functional leaders, and direct engineering projects. This position is a key member of the department leadership team and works closely with managers, plant engineering, and technicians to solve problems and improve the department. The role involves identifying losses and developing strategies to eliminate them in safety, quality, reliability, and cost, as well as developing technician skills. The Area Leader will also collaborate with process engineers and maintenance coordinators to enhance production line results and provide support to other plant areas as needed. A significant responsibility includes owning a safety key element for the plant and achieving/improving department scorecard results, acting as a safety role model at all times.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree is required, concentration in engineering is preferred.
A minimum of 1 year of manufacturing experience required.
Strong troubleshooting skills is required.
A minimum of 1 year of people management experience in an operations environment required.
Knowledge of process safety and manufacturing safety protocols is required.
Knowledge of mechanical and maintenance processes.
Experience managing, leading, and influencing teams.
Strong organizational, planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Effective presentation, verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in food, beverage, or pharmaceuticals is preferred.
Willingness to work a schedule that most effectively supports the organization. This could include beginning the workday at 6:00 am in support of Daily Direction Setting meeting.
Ability to work with the manufacturing leadership team, technicians, engineers, equipment manufacturers, vendors, and construction/equipment contractors.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to train technicians and explain difficult technical material in a way that is understood and executed.
Ability to flex to off shift as needed to support production.
Perform their roles and responsibilities in a safe manner.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of 36 hourly technicians across 2 shifts and supports a department that runs a 24/7 operating schedule.
Own the safety, quality, and reliability of a production line across all shifts.
Manage 2 team leaders and multiple functional leaders on the teams.
Plan and executes the team’s work plans.
Hold team accountable to individual and team responsibilities.
Has the ability to direct engineering projects from conception through completion.
Act as a key member of the department leadership team.
Work closely with managers, plant engineering, and technicians to solve problems and improve the department.
Identify losses and develops plans and strategies to eliminate losses in the areas of safety, quality, reliability, and cost.
Develop technician skills within department to include new hires all the way up to team leaders.
Work closely with a process engineer and maintenance coordinators to improve the results of the production lines.
Provide support throughout other parts of the plant as needed on a daily basis.
Own a safety key element for the plant.
Achieve and improves scorecard results for the department.
Act as a safety role model at all times.
Monitor progress of technician’s step-up cards.
Meet or exceed process reliability targets.