Operations Manager

Operations Manager The Operations Manager must comply with all plant GMP, SQF Quality and Safety, Food Safety and Bio-Security procedures. This position is backed-up by the Plant Manager. They must ensure that their department has a food safety culture that is developed, maintained, and monitored. The Operations Manager is responsible for the daily manufacturing and packaging operations for our Cook, Smoke and Alternate Dairy area and plant sanitation. This position will provide leadership and guidance in their responsible areas for the purpose of increasing their effectiveness, establishing good procedures and working relationships. They will be responsible for managing their area of production strategically by working closely with quality control and maintenance departments to create and facilitate continuous improvement of plant processes, systems and competencies; focusing on opportunities to improve production by using all available resources among all three operational shifts, as needed. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Manage and coordinate defined operational areas on all three shifts within company policies and procedures that produce products that meet quality, cost, volume and service criteria and objectives. Initiate plans and processes, which minimize manufacturing costs through effective utilization of employees, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital without compromising product safety or integrity. Manage and evaluate machine resources to ensure productivity and minimal downtime. Communicate any problems or obstacles to senior management. Lead and mentor supervisors among all three shifts in the areas of employee development and maintenance of well-trained motivated staff. Responsibility for ensuring that staffing and competency levels are achieved/exceeded in all aspects of the manufacturing process. Assure attainment of business objectives and productions schedules while ensuring product standards that will exceed our customers' expectations. Supervise the safe and timely cleaning of the facility and equipment in accordance with the company, customer, certification and regulatory requirements and supports facility compliance with records verification. Assuring cleaning procedures are maintained and updated. Conducting plant wide and departmental mandated training. Planning cleaning schedules and proper allocation of resources (labor, supplies, equipment and time). Conducting inspections (GMP, Safety, Food Safety,) and cleaning verifications. Assuring Sanitation inventory levels are managed to meet targets without impeding plant objectives. Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and Local food safety regulations including, but not limited to, 21 CFR and all relevant company food and people safety policies and procedures. Oversight of production process to ensure products and processed in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program. Foster an environment where safety and quality are high priorities by ensuring all employees perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures. Work closely with functional departments to ensure coordination between purchasing, quality, maintenance and finance. Maintain individual skills, keeping up to date with latest production, technological changes and production management. Remove waste and constraints from the production process to improve efficiencies and enhance productivity. Collaborate with Sales and Quality Divisions to develop and bring to market new products. Partner with the Purchasing to develop and improve supplier relationships for all Plant inputs. Other responsibilities as assigned by management. Ensure all staff know that should report any food safety concerns to management. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical electrical, Engineering, Operation's Management (or other technical field) preferred or associate's degree in a technical field plus commensurate experience. Five to ten years of progressive manufacturing experience with leadership responsibilities in Plant Operations, Maintenance Processes, Project Management, Manufacturing job estimating, and Financial Management, all preferably in a food/cheese environment. SQF experience. ERP knowledge and experience is required. ERP implementation experience is a plus. Knowledge of lean principles, Black Belt is a plus. Must have the ability to plan, set objectives and goals, prioritize, measure performance, provide direction and meet deadlines. Decision making and problem-solving skills. Positive and goal oriented, willing to accept the challenge of new assignments and be able to work well with others. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with emphasis on teamwork, customer service and safe working practices. Compatible with company culture and core values. English language skills (reading, writing, comprehension). Commitment to Food Safety: Biery Cheese will continuously train our team members in food safety, food quality and maintaining regulatory requirements. Biery Cheese team members will be encouraged to improve their work process to produce/packaged at the highest quality under the guides of food safety and quality. Our team members are to conduct themselves appropriately while at Biery Cheese and manage the production area in a safe manner to avoid injury to themselves or co-workers. Work Environment: The work environment involves moderate risks or discomforts which may require special safety precautions working around moving machines in production facilities, protective clothing or gear such as goggles, gloves and shoes may be required. May be able to work in a cold environment.