Manufacturing Excellence Manager

Role Summary:


The single point of accountability for hands on, plant floor identification, investigation and prevention of operational inventory variances. Dedicated to shop floor variance control, including root-cause analysis, corrective action, process ownership, and sustained reduction of the company's variance exposure to a consistent level. The position directs cross-functional work and holds stakeholders accountable for timely, accurate resolution while maintaining inventory records, product traceability, and ERP transaction integrity.


An experienced people and process leader who can direct others, establish clear ownership, and drive measurable results.


Role Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Operational Variance Control and Accountability

• Own the end-to-end operational variance control program as the designated point person and single source of accountability through hands on, plant floor presence.
• Establish, track, and report a disciplined plan to reduce the current variance exposure and sustain total operational variances.
• Monitor variances daily, prioritize material issues, investigate discrepancies, and drive each item through documented root cause, corrective action, validation, and closure.
• Direct cross-functional employees and leaders in Operations, Accounting, Finance, Quality Assurance, Information Technology, warehouse, and offsite storage to complete required variance-control actions.
• Define ownership, deadlines, escalation paths, and performance expectations so variance issues do not remain unassigned or unresolved.
• Perform and oversee cycle counts, physical inventory verification, lot tracking, reconciliations, and ERP transaction reviews based on variance risk and business need.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, product traceability, and supporting documentation within the ERP system.
• Analyze recurring and systemic variance drivers, quantify impact, and implement preventive controls that address the root cause.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, standard reports, and regular leadership updates showing variance dollars, aging, root causes, corrective actions, owners, and progress toward the monthly target.
• Create, update, enforce, and audit SOPs and inventory controls that prevent recurrence and strengthen transaction accuracy.
• Verify offsite purchase order receipts, inventory labeling, and third-party storage transactions when relevant to variance prevention or resolution.
• Escalate unresolved, recurring, or high-dollar variances promptly and recommend operational, system, training, or accountability actions.

Auditing & Compliance

• Lead internal audits of variance-control processes and ensure compliance with established inventory-control standards.
• Coach, direct, and drive accountability for inventory-related policies, procedures, transaction discipline, and corrective actions.
• Follow and enforce all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, quality, and safety standards.
• Report Food Safety Management System (FSMS) concerns to Quality Assurance leadership or executive management.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate or bachelor's degree in operations, supply chain, finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in inventory control, operational finance, manufacturing, warehousing, or production environments preferred.
• Minimum three years of demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience directing others, assigning ownership, managing deadlines, and holding cross-functional teams accountable is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-dollar variance investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, cycle counts, audits, and inventory reconciliations is required.
• Experience working with ERP systems required; Epicor experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership presence and the ability to direct work across functions without allowing ownership to become diluted.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to quantify financial impact, identify root causes, and validate corrective actions.
• Ability to build variance dashboards, communicate progress clearly, and use data to hold owners accountable to deadlines and results.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Intermediate computer proficiency, including ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including concise escalation and executive-level reporting.
• Ability to work effectively in a refrigerated, multicultural manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements:


This position sits in a standard office environment with regular interaction with the operation and warehouse facilities. The office does allow pets so one must be comfortable with pets. The role will require the usage of standard technology such as phones, computers, printer/scanning, etc. While the intent of this role is to operate during standard business hours, there may be times when it is required to work extended hours, evenings, holidays, and/or weekends. Ability to safely navigate warehouses, production, and storage environments.


The physical demands must be met with or without accommodation for an employee to be successful in performing the essential job functions of this role. This includes regular and frequent walking, listening, sitting, standing, walking, use of hands and fingers, and the ability to push or lift to 15 pounds.

Frequent local travel between facilities and third-party storage locations.