Conversion Manager

POSITION PURPOSE

The Conversion Manager is responsible for the full management and performance of the Conversion Department which includes Conversion, Flexographic Printing, Security, and Rewind. This position oversees all manufacturing activities within these areas, ensuring customer requirements are met while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, food safety, cost control, and employee engagement. The Conversion Manager directs supervisors, leads, operators, and support personnel and works closely with Production Planning, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Training and Human Resources to achieve plant objectives.

FUNCTIONS

• Communicate and work under direction of Operations or Plant Manager, to meet production and quality expectations in Conversion, Flexographic Printing, Security, and Rewind.
• This position is backed up by a Conversion Supervisor or other management when needed.
• Communicate safety policies, procedures, and practices
• Ensure department personnel have completed Novolex safety training on time
• Ensure department personnel follow all safety standards
• Ensure department accident investigations and communications with Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Safety Manager and others as assigned.
• Communicate food safety and consumer safety policies, procedures, and practices
• Ensure employees are empowered and encouraged to take the correct actions and report events that could impact food safety of the product.
• Encourage a strong food safety culture and participate in GMP and food safety training and holds team responsible to follow all GMP policies.
• Participate in audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Communicate with all levels of the organization
• Operational leadership
• Manage daily operations of Conversion, Flexographic Printing, Rewind, and Security departments
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while meeting quality and customer service requirements
• Monitor production performance using key metrics including: Throughput, Waste and scrap, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Changeover times, Labor efficiency, Downtime
• Cook up staffing and resources to meet production demands
• Lead daily production meetings and communicate plant priorities
• People leadership
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and production teams
• Conduct performance evaluations and development planning
• Aid in hiring, onboarding, training, and succession planning
• Drive employee engagement and accountability
• Foster a culture of teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement
• Continuous Improvement
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance
• Utilize root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Support capital projects and equipment upgrades
• Financial Responsibility
• Manage departmental labor and operating budgets
• Control manufacturing costs through waste reduction and process improvements
• Monitor material usage variance (MUV) and other cost metrics
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities
• Perform other duties required by management as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, engineering, business, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience
• 3+ years of managing production teams
• Experience in one or more of the following: Flexographic printing, Film conversion, Rewind operations, Bag making, Flexible packaging manufacturing
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies preferred
• Must have experience handling deadlines, scheduling, and prioritization
• Strong leadership and coaching skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic and operational decision making
• Conflict resolution and employee relations skills
• Strong organizational and planning capabilities
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability
• Data analysis and KPI management
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP) and Microsoft Office applications