Job Description

Under direction of the Site Director and working with Department Managers, oversees operations of the pet food manufacturing lines. Responsible for meeting customer and quality requirements, leading teams in product and process control, practicing SOP’s and coordinating all production support and systems activities.
ESSENTIAL TASKS:

• Develop a work environment of continuous improvement and lead problem solving activities,
  new projects and process implementation.
• Manage the production schedule to ensure the plant meets customer order dates and
  achieving key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing Department to ensure raw ingredients and packaging meet
  requirements and are in place for production.
• Partner with Quality and Food Safety team members to ensure SOPs are in place and in
  practice, manage critical control points, and sanitation is effective.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance team members to ensure equipment is designed and functioning to specifications.
• Lead and cultivate team members to ensure skills are appropriately applied, learning and
  development is occurring, and proper levels of self-discipline are maintained.
• Manage and resolve non-conformance issues.
• Investigate causes of faulty products and take proper corrective action.
• Monitor scheduling and production of the plant, including materials, labor, equipment, ensure all lines are operating efficiently and effectively.

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business or equivalent required.
• 10 years+ of successful experience in production management in a food manufacturing plant
  required.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements is necessary.
• Knowledge of high-performance teams, quality management, ability to coach and develop people and teams a plus.
• Coach: Lead by example and by walking around, create commitment and energy in the team, share information, able to develop individuals and groups into self-directed work teams.
• Systems thinker, business analyzer, barrier breaker, facilitator, results oriented.
• Ability to see how the parts connect to the whole operation and respond cross-functionally to meet production goals, quality standards and company values.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, and background check.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
• Job performed in a manufacturing environment.
• Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices, including appropriate safety equipment apply.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to sit for prolonged periods, climb stairs, climb ladders and walk plant floors that could exceed one mile of travel per day.
• The employee must have a full range of body movements including use of hands to finger,
  handle, or feel objects, computer equipment and peripherals; and bending, reaching, and
  crouching.
• Must have command of all five senses, sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. These vision requirements in each area must be sufficient to shift in focus from computer screens to close forms.
• Strength: Must have the ability to lift 20 pounds with regularity.
• Must be able to understand and follow work instructions in English

FOOD QUALITY:

• Overseeing operations to create and package food with strict adherence to quality specifications.
• Enforce and ensure QA/QC guidelines are followed by all departments.
• Report any Food Quality issues to FS/QA Manager.

FOOD SAFETY:

• Overseeing operations strive to ensure that the food is safe from contamination by implementing
  and enforcing Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP’s).
• Enforce and ensure Food Safety guidelines are followed by all departments.
• Report any Food Safety issues to the FS/QA Manager.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY:

• Follow company safety protocols and procedures
• Report any identified safety risks to safety committee member or Management

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Position may require lifting, bending, crawling, kneeling, standing for long periods of time,
  reaching, frequent walking and climbing ladders.

Alphia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.