Job Description

Job Summary:
To effectively manage the Michigan City commercialization process for new product launches within the Co-Manufacturing and Private Label businesses by coordinating, directing and managing cross-functional (internal and external) resources.

Job Duties:

• Develop project timelines and actively manage plant projects to ensure that timelines are met, including taking immediate action with plant personnel to ensure key milestones such as trials and launches remain on track
• Facilitate cross-functional completion of new business quotes on behalf of Michigan City, gathering & validating operational inputs such as Throughputs, Max Throughputs, Scrap, Direct Labor, and Setup / Changeover duration
• Responsible for the on-time planning, scheduling, and completion of plant trials and first productions as per customer and Maker’s Pride objectives
• Responsible for facilitating the completion of pre-trial plans and write-ups, tracking inbound materials, ensuring line / equipment readiness, providing live, onsite support of trial activities, and drafting post-trial documentation
• Maintain project documentation such as trial trackers, first production calendars, and meeting notes
• Liaise & influence plant functional stakeholders such as Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Line Leaders, Food Safety, and R&D inclusive of operators, supervisors, and up to Plant Managers & Operations Directors
• Ensure completion of master data setup of new SKUs, including guiding customers through Maker’s Pride data needs and ensuring completion of SAP master data within Maker’s Pride
• Coordinate and distribute project information between functions, effectively communicating key status updates and key milestone readiness
• Confidently communicate Michigan City processing and packaging capabilities, including describing which product types (rotary, wirecut, cookie sandwiches, etc.) and packaging types (Bag In Box, Trays, Flow Wrap, etc.) are operationally best fit for each manufacturing line
• Strong ability to frame & solve project issues by identifying key timeline risks, evaluating trade-offs, and proposing solutions, driving alignment with other Maker’s Pride & customer functions.
• Collaborate with customers to ensure that all specifications meet customer expectations, ensuring newly produced products meet customer needs
• Ensure accuracy of project documentation and Sharepoint operational data associated with project including process sheets, BOMs and pricing.
• Ensure Maker’s Pride trial billing estimates and final actuals are issued through customer bills
• Attend vendor and customer meetings as required

Required Skills & Knowledge:
• Strong knowledge of Bakery manufacturing processes including but not limited to the processing and packaging of crackers and cookies
• Strong understanding of operational metrics such as TPUTs, TMAX, Direct Labor, Start-Up / Ramp-Up, Scrap / Dunnage, and Set-Up / Change Over
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong problem-solving ability
• Must be accurate, detail-oriented and maintain the utmost confidentiality when required.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Familiarity with Maker’s Pride commercialization processes
• Proficient customer service skills
• Proficient project management skills
• Proficient presentation skills and negotiation skills.
• Proficient business acumen skills
• Proficient SAP skills

Ability to:
• Communicate in English to give and acknowledge instructions/problems.
• Physical and mental ability to support trials during non-traditional business hours (early mornings, late nights) only as per customer requirements
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, engineering, finance and sales to assess project viability.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to work well with others in stressful situations and meet deadlines as necessary.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and tasks.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, always making sound decisions and prioritizing safety

Proficiency in: MS Office Suite (Sharepoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SAP

Minimum Qualifications:
• Prior experience in a manufacturing environment required
• 5 years of project management, commercialization, and / or operations experience or equivalent combination of experience
• Prior experience in the food industry, preferably baked goods
• Bachelor’s in business, engineering, or operations management preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered

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Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.