Associate Manager, Processing Operations

UnileverIndependence, MO
$88,600 - $133,000Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Manager, Processing Operations is responsible for driving current and future manufacturing performance in the areas of Safety, Productivity, Cost, Quality, Delivery and People with a Continuous Improvement framework. This is a hybrid role with strategic and executional management of the site’s processing department. This individual has full responsibility for managing their department’s day-to-day manufacturing activities as well as working individually and on teams to identify areas of opportunity to cause beneficial changes. You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet. Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree. Technical degree in Engineering/ Business/ Management (preferred)
  • 3+ years of Progressive Manufacturing Leadership experience.
  • You have experience in establishing and maintaining relationships on all levels of the business, while creating a culture of safety, quality and operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

  • Experience in Food Manufacturing with processing operations
  • SAP and inventory management system experience

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end processing performance across Safety, Quality, Service, and Cost for the department.
  • Drive loss elimination strategy, not just execution—leveraging data, RCA, and standards to close gaps sustainably.
  • Ensure disciplined daily management systems (LSW, tier meetings, escalation) are embedded and effective.
  • Set the standard for SHE & Quality compliance, ensuring zero tolerance through leadership visibility and accountability.
  • Effectively prioritize and manage multiple workstreams, focusing resources on the highest-impact outcomes.
  • Build and sustain a high-performing, safety-first culture where standards are clear and consistently applied.
  • Translate site strategy into clear direction, expectations, and priorities for frontline leaders and teams.
  • Develop a strong leadership bench by coaching supervisors and holding them accountable for engagement and performance.
  • Foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and ownership, strengthening employee relations and union partnership.
  • Anticipate risks and proactively adjust plans to protect people, service, and production continuity.
  • Lead continuous improvement and culture transformation across the processing organization.
  • Partner cross-functionally (Maintenance, Quality, Planning, Logistics) to remove constraints and enable performance now and in the future.
  • Identify future capability needs and build robust training and development pipelines for the department.
  • Paradox Navigator: Balances competing priorities while maintaining focus on what drives the business forward.
  • Drive clarity on the critical few priorities that unlock department performance (losses, reliability, capability).
  • Ensure execution against clear KPIs and targets, with strong follow-through and accountability.
  • Embed Leader Standard Work and visual management to maintain focus and sustain results.
  • Balance short-term delivery with long-term capability and system improvements.

Benefits

  • health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage)
  • retirement savings benefits
  • life insurance and disability benefits
  • parental leave
  • sick leave
  • paid vacation and holidays
  • access to numerous voluntary benefits
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