Plant Manager - NRO

ASR Group•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Plant Manager oversees the overall results of ASR Group’s Chicago and Calumet facilities, which perform sugar melting, packaging, blending, and molasses packing. This hands-on leadership role is accountable for safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations and support functions that meet business objectives and customer expectations. It is a developmental role in a rotational program intended to build multi-site leadership capabilities and prepare the successful candidate to advance to a larger, more complex refinery role within the ASR network, potentially in Crockett, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; or Baltimore, Maryland. The Plant Manager directs manufacturing operations and support functions, including packaging, maintenance, utilities, engineering, and quality. The role champions safety, food safety, quality, environmental compliance, operational performance, cost control, continuous improvement, employee development and relations, and community and regulatory engagement. The position provides overall direction and supervision for a workforce of more than 20 people across two facilities.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience in the food manufacturing or processing industry.
3 to 5 years of experience in a management role overseeing multiple functions and disciplines.
Previous project management and/or project execution experience.
Strong technical knowledge of packaging and food processing systems.
Demonstrated experience managing and implementing continuous improvement projects.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop people.
Strong planning, analytical, and organizational skills.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills in a cross-functional role.
Excellent interpersonal relationship skills focused on teamwork and collaboration across all levels of the business.
Highly analytical, with the ability to use judgment to make recommendations and decisions with imperfect information.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Ability to direct and supervise a workforce across two facilities.

Nice To Haves

University degree in engineering, operations management, or business preferred.
Experience with SAP.

Responsibilities

Oversee and champion an effective safety program aimed at zero injuries and continuous improvement in physical safety and employee safety attitudes and behaviors.
Promote high quality and ensure adherence to food safety standards, requirements, and Good Manufacturing Practices.
Direct, plan, and organize manufacturing operations, including packaging, maintenance, utilities, engineering, and quality.
Ensure productivity, efficiency, and service performance meet business objectives and customer expectations.
Ensure the facilities comply with environmental standards and requirements and maintain positive dealings with regulatory agencies.
Implement manufacturing strategies and plans that support Redpath and ASR strategic initiatives; identify and recommend capital improvement opportunities to support business growth.
Establish departmental and individual accountability for problem-solving, cost reduction, and continuous improvement, including use of new technologies.
Improve manpower utilization and the training, knowledge, and skills of operations employees at all levels.
Develop and oversee operating budgets, manage spending, and implement cost-improvement strategies.
Maintain positive and productive employee relations and foster constructive, collaborative employee involvement and opportunities for input and action.
Manage community relations and address city, municipal, and government initiatives affecting the site.
Support new product development and sales initiatives.
Maintain food safety, authenticity, legality, and quality.
Report risks or evidence of unsafe or out-of-specification product, equipment, packaging, or raw materials to a designated manager so issues requiring immediate action can be resolved.
Provide overall direction and supervision to a workforce of more than 20 people across two facilities.