Manufacturing Area Lead

The Manufacturing Area Lead is responsible for overseeing production activities within their assigned manufacturing cell(s), ensuring the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products while driving efficiency, cost control, and operational excellence. This role leads the cell(s) to achieve cost targets related to labor, material variance, and overall cost per ton, while modeling and reinforcing The Ice Cream Way behaviors—putting people first, acting with accountability, continuously improving, and winning together as one team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage production activities and scheduling to ensure efficient operations and the manufacture of high-quality products that meet customer, food safety, and business requirements.
• Audit and manage the overall labor scheme for assigned cell(s), ensuring alignment with overtime controls, staffing models, and hiring and training needs for assigned associates.
• Actively lead and sustain the ICMS (Integrated Continuous Manufacturing System), with specific accountability for driving Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Planned Maintenance (PM), and Focused Improvement (FI) practices.
• Maintain strong awareness and ownership of total perimeter costs for each assigned cell.
• Champion The Ice Cream Way by fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. Encourage open dialogue, collaboration, and problem solving at all levels of the organization.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of plant personnel regarding manufacturing performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Directly supervise production supervisors and ensure a robust team meeting and tiered accountability process is in place to identify, escalate, and eliminate losses across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.
• Ensure the production floor is safe, clean, and compliant with OSHA, GMP, and company standards, reinforcing a strong safety-first mindset where everyone is responsible for protecting themselves and others.
• Support and actively participate in the site Food Safety Program, ensuring adherence to food safety standards and immediate response to risks or deviations.
• Become HAZWOPER certified after passing a cardiopulmonary physical for respirator use and participate as a trained responder in ammonia release incidents or drills, as required.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of demonstrated success in a manufacturing environment, preferably within food manufacturing, with proven experience leading teams, building a strong safety culture, and ensuring OSHA and GMP compliance.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and inspire teams while living The Ice Cream Way behaviors—care, courage, accountability, and collaboration.
• Ability to effectively navigate and utilize web-based systems and manufacturing tools, including Buildapp, Megamation, DFOS, SAP, Microsoft applications, and Statistical Process Control systems.
• Proven ability to apply rigorous Cost Deployment and Zero Loss methodologies to identify, prioritize, and eliminate losses through disciplined use of ICMS.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, evolving organization.
• Values collaboration, clarity, and low-ego ways of working.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship. Employment eligibility will be verified as part of the hiring process.

Benefits

• Market-competitive pay and performance-related rewards.
• Flexible ways of working.
• Support for health, wellbeing, and life outside of work.
• Time off to rest and recharge.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Medical, dental, and (where applicable) vision coverage.
• Health and wellbeing support, including employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.
• Health-related savings and spending accounts.
• Retirement savings programs with a competitive matching plan.
• Additional employee perks (e.g., corporate discounts, commuter or learning support).

Benefits vary by country and are subject to plan terms and eligibility.