Senior Production Manager

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA•Fort Smith, AR

11d•$105,678 - $154,021

About The Position

As the world leader in nutrition, health and wellness for children from birth to preschool, Gerber Products Company is committed to creating a strong future. We joined the Nestlé Nutrition family in 2007, and have been a partner in parenthood ever since. Our Anything for Baby team works closely with experts to create products that enrich and establish healthy habits for children, and are good for the planet as well. A career at Gerber provides meaningful opportunities to develop professionally, and nurture generations to come. Now is the time to define your future, and ours too. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. POSITION SUMMARY: Accountable for directing the plant production activities and leading the production team to produce and ship quality products to meet business & customer requirements. Responsible for full plant operations in the absence of the Plant Manager. Sets strategic direction and implementation for the plant; controls and effectively utilizes the production capacity, manpower, equipment and outside resources through planning, organizing and scheduling to minimize losses; and works within the framework of the budget to optimize company profitability. Interprets policy and decides the best course of action in problems of quality, scheduling and interpretation of engineering requirements to maintain efficient operations. Mentors direct and indirect management employees. Participates in company planning through budget preparation, capital expenditure recommendation, manpower and space forecasting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Operation Management or related field highly preferred.
Five to seven years of progressive operational managerial experience in food or beverage industrial setting required; exposure to union workforce beneficial.
Utilizing/spearheading continuous improvement methodologies (TPM preferred)
Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills; ability to analyze data.
Ability to solve problems effectively and influence others at all levels.
Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
Ability to coach and develop others.

Nice To Haves

exposure to union workforce beneficial
TPM preferred

Responsibilities

Continuous improvement focus/delivered results on: Safety, Consumer Communications, Low Cost/High Efficiencies, Renovation/Innovation, and Product Availability.
Controls and effectively utilizes the production capacity, manpower and equipment and outside resources through planning, organizing and scheduling to minimize losses; works within the framework of the budget to optimize company profitability.
Directly manages 8 Supervisors; Indirectly supervises approximately 170 salaried and hourly employees.
Coaches on crewing and budgeting processes and changes, trouble shoots on productivity and cost variance issues, advises on company policy administration and interpretation and employee discipline as necessary, assists in monthly production plan layout and acts as mentor to Business Unit Leaders.
Interprets policy and decides the best course of action in problems of quality, scheduling and interpretation of engineering requirements, particularly where interdepartmental contacts are involved, to maintain efficient operations.
Make timely and knowledgeable decisions as needed when operation and employee issues arise and take necessary action.
Coordinates with the Supply Chain Department to provide production and shipment of quality products to fulfill customer requirements.
Participates in company planning through budget preparation, capital expenditure recommendation, manpower and space forecasting.
To communicate all pertinent information and to appropriate people in a timely manner.
Selects, trains and promotes management employees and provides effective and efficient management of the plant.
Has immediate responsibility for the Safety & Environmental activities performed by supervisors and all employees.
Assures that safety activities are communicated & accomplished as outlined in the plant’s safety program
Assures that safety activities are communicated & accomplished as outlined in the plant’s environmental program
Assures the supervisors involved properly investigate all injuries, incidents and accidents as they relate to safety or the environment
Consult with the plant safety/Environmental Management Representative as necessary to fulfill program requirements.
Review all accident and incident investigations with the objective of taking action to eliminate future occurrences.