Operations Manager

Tate and Lyle•Sycamore, IL

76d•$92,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Operations Manager is responsible for organizing, planning, directing, and controlling production, sanitation, warehousing, and shipping and receiving at Tate & Lyle’s Sycamore facility. The role provides technical expertise to maintain and improve processes, minimize costs, support safe operations and high product quality, and ensure plant availability. The incumbent is also expected to deliver service that meets or exceeds the needs and expectations of employees, customers, and clients. As a strategic member of the Management Team, the Operations Manager leads and develops operational teams, supports the facility’s environmental, health, safety, quality, and food safety goals, and contributes to site performance targets. The position oversees production operations and collaborates with quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to improve safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost performance.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering with at least 4 years of experience, or equivalent work experience in progressive plant operations management.
Prior management experience in a food manufacturing setting.
Strong understanding of manufacturing GMPs, standard safety policies, food safety protocols, and HACCP.
Strong safety mindset and basic knowledge of EHSQS and behavior.
Knowledge of J2E and its principles.
Knowledge of continuous improvement and internal and external auditing.
Financial acumen, including interpreting and applying an understanding of key financial information.
Data analysis and interpretation skills; ability to identify gaps and provide solutions.
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to plan actions and coordinate individuals or teams to meet objectives.
Leadership, talent development, and employee engagement skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal savvy when working with diverse groups.
Ability to develop SOPs.
Dependable and punctual in meeting attendance and performance expectations.
Experience using SAP and Workday.
Advanced Microsoft Suite skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior operational experience with dry powder blending or handling, shipping and receiving, and packaging.
Experience managing and executing projects up to $1.0 million.

Responsibilities

Manage hourly employees and supervisors in the safe and efficient operation of dry product blending lines, the granulation dryer line, shipping and receiving, warehousing, and sanitation, with a focus on safety, quality, production, efficiency, and employee development.
Improve plant safety culture and performance by ensuring policies and procedures are followed, communicating and addressing safety issues, participating in the Plant Safety Committee, and serving as a leader on safety matters.
Model and promote Tate & Lyle values within the team.
Partner with Quality Assurance to meet plant quality KPIs; lead site audits and determine root causes and corrective actions for supplier issues and quality complaints.
Lead continuous-improvement and teamwork efforts, involving operations resources to streamline processes, reduce excess consumption, and minimize costs.
Work with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to identify and implement projects relating to safety, ergonomics, cost reduction, and efficiency.
Manage concurrent assignments and resolve priority conflicts with independent, decisive, and collaborative leadership; share expertise and uphold organizational values.
Coordinate with maintenance to complete preventive maintenance and production equipment upkeep with minimal line downtime.
Participate in J2E meetings as an element owner, ensure element criteria are completed and updated, and capture information in Benchmark.
Conduct internal audits.
Participate as a leader on the Emergency Preparedness team in fire drills, evacuation exercises, and other safety training.
Lead, model, and ensure area accountability for adherence to global and local EHSQS policies and procedures.
Communicate visible leadership commitment to EHSQS and ensure employees develop the knowledge and skills needed to apply relevant systems and standards.
Ensure appropriate resources support progress toward environmental, health, safety, and food safety policy goals and facility objectives.
Review the EHSQS system for continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness; participate in setting objectives and targets related to risk assessment and environmental, health, and safety aspects.
Understand and apply Life Saving Principles and Product Protection Principles in the work environment.
Comply with applicable EHSQ procedures, act responsibly, perform work without creating risks to people or the environment, report incidents and hazards, and suggest improvements to systems and work methods.