Sr. Manager Plant Performance and Operations, Seasoning
W3Global · Hampstead, MD · 2 mo ago
AnalystFull-time
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all aspects of Seasoning operations, including production, warehouse, planning, and inventory
- Ensure alignment of daily execution with business priorities, customer needs, and production schedules
- Drive a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Champion a strong safety culture, driving proactive improvements and accountability at all levels
- Lead efforts to strengthen food safety and quality systems, partnering closely with Quality
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, audit, and internal standards
- Oversee readiness and execution of customer and regulatory audits, including follow-up actions
Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Own plant-level performance metrics including safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity
- Use data and metrics to identify gaps, prioritize initiatives, and drive measurable improvement
- Lead structured root cause problem-solving for quality issues, operational disruptions, and customer complaints
- Drive labor efficiency and process improvements through standardized tools and continuous improvement methods
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Ensure effective scheduling and execution
- Influence and collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, and Sr. Manager Plant Performance and Operations, Spice to optimize overall plant performance
- Maintain strong communication across functions to proactively address risks, constraints, and opportunities
Financial & Resource Management
- Own and manage labor and departmental costs, including staffing, overtime, and temporary labor
- Optimize resource utilization to balance cost, service, and operational efficiency
- Implement improvements in processes, equipment use, and working conditions to maximize productivity
Systems, Controls & Execution Discipline
- Ensure accurate and consistent use of ERP and production systems (e.g., RedZone)
- Maintain and improve documentation systems, including SOPs, performance tracking, and employee development plans
- Audit production and operational records to ensure accuracy and compliance
Leadership & People Development
- Develop and coach leaders and teams to build a high-performing, engaged organization
- Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable for results and behaviors
- Build a culture focused on ownership, growth, and continuous learning
- Strong cross-functional communication and influence to maintain and improve plant operations with the Sr. Manager Plant Performance and Operations for Spice, Quality, and Engineering and Maintenance
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
- Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing (food industry preferred)
- Strong experience with plant operations, process improvement, and KPI management
- Working knowledge of regulatory requirements (OSHA, food safety standards such as SQF preferred)
- Able to physically handle up to and including 50 lbs.
Core Competencies
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities
- Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
- Ability to balance short-term execution with long-term strategy
- Effective cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills
- Strong decision-making under pressure and ambiguity
- High level of accountability and ownership
- Ability to make and effectively communicate timely, difficult decisions in the best interest of the team and business
- Assesses and manages risk effectively, seeking input when needed and confidently navigating uncertainty
Key Attributes
- Adaptable to a lighthearted, creative, solution-based environment
- Organized, self-disciplined, goal-oriented, and people focused
- Confident and self-less leader with high expectations, driven by results, and motivated by the success of the team
- Able to provide professional leadership, motivation, and direction
Work Environment
- Noise level - mid range
- Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles
- PPE is required to be worn