If you complement your manufacturing operations leadership experience with a track record of success in implementing Lean initiatives, this position offers you some very compelling opportunities. You will:

• Make your mark driving continuous improvement initiatives across all operations in the plant, and also oversee operations in two departments.
• Play a key role in a strategic initiative to roll out a new Manufacturing Excellence program, based on TPM. You'll work with leaders who have expertise in Lean and TPM. Quick question for you - click here
• Lead a number of intriguing projects and showcase your potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance in our organization.
• Support our mission of providing fresh, healthy foods while making a consistently positive impact on employees, communities, the environment, and customers.
• Enjoy a positive, team-oriented culture where people have a good deal autonomy and their contributions are appreciated

Bonduelle Fresh Americas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bonduelle (BON.PA), and home of the Ready Pac Foods brand. For over 45 years, Ready Pac Foods has been a leader in offering the most innovative fresh food products to consumers around the world. With four processing facilities throughout the U.S., we focus on fresh vegetables, salads and fresh meal solutions for the Americas. We manufacture a complete range of products featuring fresh produce and protein under the company's Ready Pac Foods®, Bistro®, Ready Snax®, Cool Cuts®, and Bonduelle Fresh Picked™ brands.

Pictured: Our processing facilities apply the latest global standards of food safety and quality. Using the latest technology and equipment, our goal is to ensure we only offer the highest quality products.

To be a good fit for the Manufacturing Excellence Operations Manager opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor's degree in industrial Engineering or another related field. Quick question for you - click here
• 4 or 5 years of experience in production management. 
• 2 to 3 years of experience with Lean manufacturing. Knowledge of TPM, with advanced understanding of the Focused Improvement Pillar.
• Strong project management skills and experience directly leading Lean initiatives.
• Experience applying Continuous Improvement tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.
• A demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• A track record of success in being directly responsible for:
  • Operational efficiencies, including yields, labor, shipping/picking efficiencies, and sanitation scores.
  • Implementation and maintenance of the company operations procedures, reporting on the performance and initiating improvements for operations.
• Strong technical knowledge and a data-driven approach.
• Solid PC skills, including the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, and Minitab.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Just as important will be the following competencies and characteristics:

• Very strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities.
• Solid problem solving skills.
• Very strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence others in the absence of direct authority.
• Change management experience.
• The ability to work well in a team environment and collaborate up and down the organization.
• Strong self-motivation and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• A proven track record of results, a sense of urgency and a bias for action.
• A passion for learning and a craving to work in a fun culture.

Top candidates also will have MANY of the following:

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Cost accounting experience or financial acumen.
• Experience approving plant payroll and payments for departmental materials or product purchases.
• Experience leading teams leads in initiatives related to processing, storing, and shipping food products. Experience with short shelf-life products would be ideal.
• Experience working through functional groups to enforce productivity, quality and safety requirements in accordance with company needs.
• An engineering background.

Pictured: Our Ready Snax® Snack Packs are the perfect snack solution at work, after school or anywhere on-the-go. Each of the nine varieties was created to curb your hunger and provide you with a boost of vitamins, all with fewer than 250 calories.

You will report to the Plant Director and have a dotted line relationship with the corporate Senior Director of Manufacturing Excellence. This is a twofold role in which you will:

• Invest 60% to 70% of your time implementing the Manufacturing Excellence (ME) program in all areas of the facility. This will include collaborating with managers and supervisors, and leading cross-functional teams. 
• Devote 30% to 40% of your time to overseeing operations in two small to medium departments, Clamshell and Apple. This will include managing two Team Leads (supervisors) and teams of Production Associates. Quick question for you - click here

You'll also partner with and sometimes serve as a back-up to Operations Managers in other departments. Driving and coordinating the ME program implementation will include identifying, analyzing, proposing and implementing continuous improvement and ME initiatives to optimize resource utilization such as materials, people, utilities, equipment. You'll work with multiple functional areas to drive change through the facility to deliver cost savings targets within the plant operating activities.

In addition, you will act as a coach and mentor to managers, supervisors and others to establish a zero-loss manufacturing culture and build Lean Sigma skills and capabilities so everyone can identify and eliminate losses every hour, every shift and every day. You'll be responsible for the management and leadership of Production and Plant Safety.

More specifically, you will:

• Own the development, implementation and execution of the plant’s Manufacturing Excellence Program and the Continuous Improvement Playbook.
• Use Six Sigma and Lean disciplines to drive continuous improvement projects, lead teams, coach, and mentor factory personnel.
• Partner with the entire plant team to identify and prioritize losses.
• Provide technical expertise and input in resolving bottlenecks to throughput; determine efficient methods for worker and equipment utilization.
• Lead critical cost savings projects using project management tools.
• Manage development and execution of the plant Productivity Deck (list of CI projects for the year).
• Report status and results of projects to stakeholders.
• Develop management systems, establish work measurement programs, and perform line workload observations to develop standards for labor and materials utilization.
• Work hand-in-hand with functional department representatives to create task teams and lead brainstorming to identify areas of improvement; propose and implement continuous improvements initiatives.
• Provide analysis, input, and support for the budget process.
• Prepare and give formal presentations to management about projects progress and direction.
• Prepare cost /benefit analyses and present recommendations to management.
• Ensure the benefits generated by the projects are properly measured and that the impact on total costs is validated by finance.
• Train and coach the plant leaders, project leaders, and others as needed on the Focused Improvement methodologies.
• Build skills and capabilities on Continuous Improvement tools across all functions of the plant. Tools will include Zero Base Analysis, Process Mapping, 5-Why Analysis, Rapid Changeover, Line Balancing, Waste Walk, Kaizen, DMAIC, etc.
• Ensure standardization of CI methods across the plant.
• Track and ensure sustainability of improvements.
• Report out progress of cost savings execution.
• Share best practices and adopts best practices from other plants.

Pictured: Our latest line of chopped salad kits are inspired by flavors and recipes from around the world.

Professional development
This is a great chance to build your leadership skills and production knowledge. You'll share ideas and insights with others in the plant who have strong knowledge of Lean and TPM, and you'll be part of the site leadership team.

Career options
This role will afford you many opportunities to demonstrate your potential. Once you have proven yourself in this role, you might set your sights on a full operations role, perhaps leading eventually to a director-level position. Some opportunities will require relocation.

Healthy products, healthy values
"Giving people the freedom to eat healthier" has a deeper meaning for us. We believe in responsible business practices that benefit our associates, consumers and communities. Every consumer should have access to fresh, healthy and convenient choices and every one of our products is made with responsibly-sourced ingredients, by individuals who are treated ethically and with respect every day.

Be The Difference
The Ready Pac Difference is our identity. It defines the value we create that fuels our growth in order to be the most innovative fresh food company. It also defines the culture we create that enables our success and gives us the freedom to invest in our people, our business, and ultimately our consumers. The values defined in The Difference support our ability to give our Associates the freedom to drive results, learn and have fun.

Corporate responsibility
We are passionate about promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing our environmental impact, encouraging all employees to drive a culture of corporate social responsibility (CSR), feeding people well and feeding them sustainably, and promoting the well-being of our employees and communities. See the video for more information.

Rewarding environment
Our culture values teamwork and collaboration, and we are proactive about maintaining an atmosphere that is positive and motivating. We encourage and reward engagement, such as identifying potential safety or quality issues.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive wage and shift differential, we offer healthcare benefits to all associates after 30 days of employment, a 401(k) plan after 60 days, a tuition reimbursement program, and more.