Operations Team Manager IIAjinomoto Foods North America, Inc.

Leadership & Vision

• Lead and motivate the production line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency within the designated work area(s) on multiple shifts.
• Direct leadership and oversight to assigned production line(s).
• Developing and coaching Team Manager I positions across various shifts, including performance management,
  professional development plans and goal setting.
• Oversee all production activities across multiple shifts on one line or multiple lines, ensuring the safe, timely and
  efficient manufacturing of food products.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and lower operational
  costs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues, from equipment failures to workflow bottlenecks.
• Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and
  goals.
• Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and
  corporate goals.
• Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
• Provide coaching and feedback to all team members to drive accountability and high performance.

Operations Excellence

• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring smooth line operation and quick resolution of any production issues.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP),
  and company safety policies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency and implement
  corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous
  Maintenance, Focused Improvement).

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the budget for the production line, ensuring cost control and optimal resource utilization.
• Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial
  targets.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.

Talent & Organizational Development

• Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing the Team Manager I and hourly team
  members.
• Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous
  improvement.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
• Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
• Ensure Team Manager I and hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including:
  • Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis
  • Centerlines
  • Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
  • Autonomous Maintenance
  • Focused Improvement
  • Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
  • STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool

Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships:

• Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve
  production challenges.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
• Act as the primary point of contact for production-related issues, ensuring alignment with broader plant
  objectives.
• Engage in strategic planning with site leaders to ensure long-term operational success.

Education:
• Minimum Associate of Science degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Food Science, Technology, Math, etc.)
required.
• Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a STEM degree program.
• Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

Work Experience:
• Minimum of 4 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
• (Internal Applicants) Preferred minimum of 2 years of AFNA manufacturing experience in a leadership role.

Demonstrated Proficiencies:
• Multiple examples of successfully delivering performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Multiple examples of building organizational capabilities (team skill proficiency improvements, team
promotions)
• Multiple examples of solving issues to root cause and eliminating recurrence.
• Multiple examples of deploying improvement tools and frameworks with measurable outcomes. (TPM, Lean,
Six Sigma).

Preferred Proficiencies
• Extensive knowledge in deploying and maintaining GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and food safety regulations.

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