Operations Team Manager I

Ajinomoto Foods North America•Joplin, MO

About The Position

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned production area. Lead and develop the shift line team to achieve and sustain operational excellence through effective coaching, continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to company standards. Build organizational capability to drive and maintain improvements in performance and efficiency.

Requirements

Minimum Associate of Science degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Food Science, Technology, Math, etc.) required.
Minimum 2 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
Multiple examples of successfully delivering performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
Multiple examples of building organizational capabilities (team skill proficiency improvements, team promotions)
Multiple examples of solving issues to root cause and eliminating recurrence.
Multiple examples of deploying improvement tools and frameworks with measurable outcomes. (TPM, Lean, Six Sigma).

Nice To Haves

Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a 4-year STEM degree program.
Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations

Responsibilities

Lead and motivate the shift line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and goals.
Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and corporate goals.
Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
Provide coaching and feedback for team members to ensure accountability and high performance.
Oversee daily production activities, ensuring line shift operation to standard and quick resolution of any production issues.
Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and company safety policies.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement).
Develop and manage cost performance for the line.
Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial targets.
Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.
Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing hourly team members.
Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
Ensure hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including: o Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis o Centerlines o Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams) o Autonomous Maintenance o Focused Improvement o Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems o STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool.
Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve production challenges.
Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
Function as the primary point of contact for production-related issues for the production line, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.