Business Unit Leader

About The Position

The Business Unit Leader is responsible for driving the strategies and effectiveness of the business unit, by overseeing operations and leading a team of production employees within a Business Unit. This role requires end-to-end, effective leadership, planning, technical expertise, communication, and coaching skills to empower teams to produce high-quality products that meet customer needs cost-effectively.

Essential Functions

• Lead people, teams, and processes; set expectations, track results, and manage accountability within the Production department.
• Organize, manage, and analyze daily production requirements and key performance indicators to consistently meet customer expectations.
• Evaluate team performance efficiencies and coordinate necessary resources for schedule attainment and process optimization.
• Develop strategic and tactical plans to meet short- and long-term business needs with timely implementation.
• Manage financial performance, including budgeting, costing, expense and direct labor tracking, and results feedback.
• Collaborate effectively with peers in various functional areas such as Quality, Procurement, Maintenance, Logistics, and Human Resources.
• Coach, teach, and provide development opportunities for team members through performance management activities such as reviews and ongoing feedback.
• Proactively identify problems and recommend and implement solutions.
• Manage projects and lead collaborative groups to effectively solve problems.
• Ensure product quality and customer requirements are met by managing resources and systems.
• Uphold the company’s culture by actively supporting/driving the value of safety, quality as it is linked to food safety, 5S practices, continuous improvement, TPM practices, and fostering dignity and respect in the workplace.

Position Requirements

• Select, empower, lead, manage, retain, and develop employees while building an effective, collaborative, and qualified team.
• Rapidly learn and understand how business departments such as food processing, packaging, logistics, and mechanical functions affect operations.
• Illustrate flexibility and readiness to flow to the work without notice, regardless of shift/crew, per the focused need of the business unit.
• Embrace 24-7 operations, take responsibility and ownership of the business unit by always being an available and eager resource for subordinates and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate teamwork by interacting effectively with people in all areas of the company and building cross-functional work teams.
• Be a self-starter with high initiative who continues to expand knowledge of business processes, tools, data, etc.
• Be a systematic problem solver proficient with root cause analysis and capable of implementing effective solutions.
• Possess strong business and production skills in processing, packaging, and mechanical areas.
• Demonstrate creativity while leading change and continuous improvement processes for projects in all areas.
• Have strong oral and written communication skills; write clearly, speak persuasively, and facilitate groups effectively.
• Be decisive and competent using sound judgment based on standard practices.
• Understand and use computer software, including MS Office, inventory management, and other proprietary and database software.

Education and/or Experience

• 2-year degree in manufacturing, engineering, food processing, or other applicable field, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience effectively leading individuals, teams, or work groups.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or a similar environment with continuously increasing levels of responsibility.
• Prefer manufacturing experience in processing and packaging management, food industry experience strongly desired.

Attendance

• To support ongoing business goals and successfully contribute to your team, acceptable levels of performance and attendance must be consistently maintained, including attending all required meetings and events.
• Requires the flexibility to work non-standard hours as needed.

Quality

• Follow procedures to ensure all food quality standards are met or exceeded.
• Produce quality work measured by efficiency, accuracy, and completion of both personal and company goals in a manner that embodies CM values and our culture of integrity, dignity, and respect.

Safety/Legal

• Conduct work in a safe and legal manner, according to all GMP food safety standards and safety protocols.
• Be responsible for your safety and health as well as the safety and health of all employees, vendors, and visitors.