Senior Manager, Technical Operations

Russell Stover•Kansas City, MO

17d

About The Position

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy! A day in the life… As the Senior Manager of Technical Operations , you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and optimization of technical processes and systems that support operational excellence. In this role, you will ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of engineering and maintenance activities, while driving continuous improvement and innovation across facilities and infrastructure. What you will be doing… Lead and manage technical teams responsible for engineering, maintenance, and operational support. Develop and implement strategies for equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and asset lifecycle management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical strategies with operational needs. Building a best-in-class maintenance program. Manage company-wide maintenance budgets, KPIs, and workforce planning Lead the engineering team in developing innovative solutions to improve plant performance. Providing technical guidance on equipment upgrades, automation, and process optimization. Drive a safety first mindset. Ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. When visiting the plants, you will be expected to…. Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines during plant visits to support product quality and uphold food safety standards. Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the company’s food safety and quality objectives. Promptly report any observed or suspected issues that may impact food safety, quality, or compliance to the designated plant personnel, to support timely corrective actions and maintain compliance. Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role. This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field).
5+ years of experience in engineering and maintenance leadership roles.
Proven track record of managing large-scale projects in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
Strong knowledge of CMMS systems, reliability engineering, and lean methodologies.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.

Nice To Haves

PMP or equivalent project management certification.
Experience with automation, controls, and digital transformation initiatives.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, etc.).
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage technical teams responsible for engineering, maintenance, and operational support.
Develop and implement strategies for equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and asset lifecycle management.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical strategies with operational needs.
Building a best-in-class maintenance program.
Manage company-wide maintenance budgets, KPIs, and workforce planning
Lead the engineering team in developing innovative solutions to improve plant performance.
Providing technical guidance on equipment upgrades, automation, and process optimization.
Drive a safety first mindset.
Ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines during plant visits to support product quality and uphold food safety standards.
Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the company’s food safety and quality objectives.
Promptly report any observed or suspected issues that may impact food safety, quality, or compliance to the designated plant personnel, to support timely corrective actions and maintain compliance.
Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.