Senior Operations Manager at Land O'Lakes, Inc. in Hicksville, New York

Job Description:

Join Land O'Lakes, and you join boundless thinkers and doers from all walks of life working together to feed the world. Take pride in working with some of America's favorite brands, including Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United, Vermont Creamery and KozyShack, and more.

You'll be joining a team committed to e verything from the seeds that go into the ground, to the technology that improves crop yields and sustainability, to the grain that animals eat to produce milk, to marketing the final product, like our many legendary products.

We're looking for audacious optimists and innovative thinkers to help us meet food's toughest challenges.

Senior Operations Manager

The Sr. Operations Manager oversees, plans and coordinates all aspects of the production process from confirmation of materials availability, planning of shift labor through to successful execution of agreed production plans to deliver quality product in line with customer expectations.

This position reports directly to the Plant Manager and in addition to managing production is responsible for the planning and execution of plant operating improvement projects as assigned. The Sr. Operations Manager has direct accountability for the Production and Sanitation Supervisors assigned to coordinate cooking, filling packaging and sanitation operations.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct Plant startup and shutdown along with daily inspections of equipment.


• Organize and supervise work duties for all associates.


• Review hourly run rates; document corrective actions as required.


• Review 1- & 2-day short ship report.


• Confirm compliance of actual production vs. schedule from previous day.


• Review maintenance pre-startup check for each system.


• Track and "action plan" all downtime in packing and kitchen.


• Lead and manage continuous improvement projects as assigned.


• Oversee ingredient and cooking process and procedures to ensure compliance.


• Review system operating performance at least every 2 hours.


• Meet production requirements while ensuring quality standards are met.


• Conduct end of shift meeting with system teams.


• Conduct change of shift review with incoming Production Supervisor.


• Always follow and enforce GMP's along with SOP's, OSHA regulations and other regulatory agency requirements.


• Drive continuous Improvement/ Productivity Improvement programs.


• Establish line standards for the operating budget.

Responsibilities:

• Achieve production requirements according toLOL product quality standards, material use, efficiencies and labor.


• Implement and apply Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles.


• Proactively drive 5S. Maintain a clean and safe work environment.


• All Food Safety & Regulatory compliance.


• Trains all associates to perform their duties according toLOL policy and standards.


• Review Kronos timekeeping system to validate in/out swipes daily at end of shift.


• Identify process improvements to drive cost reduction and increase efficiencies.


• Communicate employee issues (e.g. - Lateness, absenteeism, violations of policy, etc.) to Plant Manager and HR Manager.


• Supervisory Responsibilities: Production, Sanitation Supervisors and Associates.


• Maintain facility in "audit ready" condition. Participate in 3rd party audits.


• Document disciplinary issues and action as necessary.


• Prepare, manage and administer performance evaluations for Production Associates and Production Supervisors.


• Other duties as assigned.

Education - Experience Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in food science, Engineering, Life Science preferred or Business.


• 5 plus years of supervisory/management experience in food processing/manufacturing operations with solid progressive leadership experience.


• Strong presentation, communication, training and interpersonal skills.


• Proven track record of understanding the drivers of product and labor cost variances.

Competencies Skills, Abilities and Traits Required:

• Sound verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to extract, analyze, and apply data from production and inventory management systems, Excel, Power Point and Word.


• Working Knowledge of principles of automated manufacturing processing systems.


• Ability to utilize Master Production Schedule and Detailed Line Schedule Development to ensure delivery of scheduled production.


• Knowledge/implementation of Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing/5S.


• Highly developed people management skills/best practices.


• High ability to make timely and critical business decisions.


• Effectively evaluates the severity of schedule misses and revising plans quickly to minimize product supply issues.


• Bilingual Spanish desired, French preferred.

Experience-Education (Preferred):

• Previous experience working as a team leader in a multi-faceted team is highly desirable.


• Master's degree in a relevant field.


• Dairy manufacturing experience.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including pre- and post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

Land O'Lakes endeavors to make Landolakesinc.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.