The Senior Site Director is a hands-on leadership position that manages our DeKalb, IL, operation with overall responsibilities for team, production, maintenance, facilities, and safety. The Senior Site Director is a critical component of the leadership team, ensuring that our plant operations efficiently deliver safe, high-quality products. The Senior Site Director is a proven leader, team player, and is focused on people development, safety, quality, efficiencies, TPM methodologies, Lean mindset, and delivers solid financial performance for the facility. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the operations professional who understands that in this role 95%+ of the plant team reports indirectly up to this leader and that they will ultimately be responsible for total factory performance.
Ways you will make a difference
Manage facility production, packaging, and storage of quality food products including food safety, quality, employee and asset safety, and operational efficiencies
Directly manage and develop Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation Managers, providing developmental, coaching, and mentoring opportunities
Partner with and work closely with Human Resources Manager, Safety Manager, Director of Cost Accounting, R&D, and Engineering
When appropriate act as a Change Agent, promoting the Ferrara vision, operating principles, and drive the path to manufacturing and team excellence
Be a leader for plant team and cross functionally with other Senior Site Directors and Leaders to share best practices
Drive adherence of all safety guidelines and always work tirelessly to provide a safe work environment for all employees
Champion continuous improvement and TPM methodologies along with a Lean mindset across the facility and train/support Managers and Supervisors as necessary
Manage daily and long-term production activities to meet or exceed budgeted production goals and drive optimum equipment efficiency and productivity
Manage the physical facilities, production equipment and all associated maintenance in accordance with best practices and Company policies and procedures
Determines appropriate actions with respect to acting with agility to changing business needs resulting from manpower or material changes and strategically formulate appropriate action plans
Develop and mentor professional growth and advancement of departmental staff
Operations leaders and team should reflect the Ferrara operating principles in all they do
Guide the plant floor data standardization, collection, utilization and management to drive continuous improvement
Assist management and supervisory team in preparation and execution of customer and regulatory audits. Encourage a plant environment that is always audit ready.
Implement effective systems and strategies of cost control over capital, operating expenditures, hourly wages, and salaries
Core to this role is the management of scheduling and staffing for the plant to ensure optimal use of personnel while managing overtime costs
Oversee production planning to ensure efficient schedules are delivered that drive lowest cost and met customer demands
Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards including compliance with established HACCP, SQF, and GMP guidelines
Working with maintenance leaders, oversee and maintain preventative maintenance programs and related costs
Incorporate and maximize floor organization and plant cleanliness among plant personnel
Support research and development test runs in the plant along with new customer launches
Oversee inventory readiness including raw materials, packaging and in-process
Working with warehouse and logistics leaders, ensure facility supply chain flow is efficient
Skills that will make you successful
Proven leadership abilities in championing continuous improvement, safety, and team building
Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills
Comprehensive business acumen in managing and improving operations, team performance, communication, and processes
Knowledge of budgeting, procurement, and cost control
Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Specific computer skills with SAP, employee timekeeping and maintenance management systems strong preferred
Experiences that will support your success
Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate business discipline and 10 plus years of relevant and successful job experience in a food manufacturing environment
Knowledgeable in all aspects of food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing
Strong interest and proven capabilities in taking full accountability for plant performance including management of team, process, reporting, and day-to-day execution of objectives.
Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Demonstrated Continuous Improvement, TPM methodologies, and Lean mindset
