Manufacturing Process Operations Leader

PepsiCo•Bakersfield, CA

14h•Onsite

About The Position

PepsiCo is seeking a Manufacturing Process Operations Leader to join their team. This frontline leadership position is crucial for driving performance, supporting daily operations, and developing high-performing teams within manufacturing operations. The role involves leading a team of 15-30 frontline associates in manufacturing, warehouse, or logistics functions, with a direct impact on safety, service, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement. The leader will work closely with the team on the floor to identify process improvements, solve operational challenges, and achieve strong results. A significant focus of this role is people leadership and development, including coaching team members, building engagement, and fostering an environment for growth and success. This is an opportunity for individuals who enjoy hands-on work, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to make a tangible impact on both people and performance, building a leadership career in manufacturing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or similar field
Minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing preferred preferably food/beverage experience
Must possess strong skills, knowledge and capability in TPM or lean manufacturing, finance and accounting, project management, human relations, effective communications, and statistics/logical problem solving.
Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision making
Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented, challenging environment
Strong leadership skills with the ability to get results through mentoring skills
Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team building skills
Must have a valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma Experience preferred, demonstrated by successful completion of a major improvement project.

Responsibilities

Rotating shifts (including nights and weekends) in a 24/7 operation.
Optimize operational efficiencies to support the facility’s production, packaging, warehousing, and shipping operations.
Optimize ingredient and packaging material usage to minimize waste.
Ensure operational practices are followed to control inventories.
Ensure PepsiCo financial and accounting control procedures are followed to ensure accurate inventory records are maintained.
Maintain product quality and sanitation standards.
Flex production plans on a shift-by-shift basis, managing through issues to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies.
Identify and coordinate operations improvements necessary to deliver the site annual operating plan (AOP). Ensure cost performance gaps are identified, action plans are developed, and resources are properly allocated.
Builds people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for front-line hourly personnel
Manage the performance of direct reports through performance reviews, frequent discussions, coaching, and career development action plans.
Develop team to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals
Deliver effective change leadership - driving business changes while minimizing people impact
Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally to assist team to solve operational issues
Motivate team members to achieve plan goals
Facilitate maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime.
Build and develop talent by effectively leveraging PepsiCo Career Growth and Leadership Models and the Performance Management Process: objective setting, performance and development (PDR), people planning, 360 feedback, and competency review.
Champion and lead an effective safety culture. Coach for safe behaviors and compliance with safety policies and procedures.
Coach teams to demonstrate continuous improvement in profitability margins, efficiencies, and cost savings initiatives.
Ensure compliance with Company policies, contracts and procedures.
Lead the implementation of the AM pillar
Directly oversee operational measures including but not limited to efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, transactional accuracy
Directly oversees operational measures including but not limited to CIL/CL compliance, minor stop loss, SRC completion.
Administer policies and procedures
Regular and predictable attendance at the work site
This role requires regular presence on the plant floor
This role requires lifting up to 40 lbs. occasionally
This role requires occasional work in poor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, or snow.
This role may operate forklift and manufacturing equipment occasionally
This role may require off-shift and weekend work
This role may require some travel (less than 5%)
Ensure 100% completion of New Hire Wave Conversations and conduct annual Wave 1:1 Conversations with direct reports