THE COMPANY

Our client is an importer and manufacturer of culinary ingredients.

THE POSITION

The Director of Operations will work closely with the CEO and fellow management team members to lead operations and drive world-class manufacturing excellence and food safety accountability throughout the organization – targeting lowest total delivered cost while maintaining exceptional customer service, quality and food safety standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overall responsibility for achieving goals for the manufacturing operations and setting strategic direction, resource deployment and continuous improvement objectives.
• Effectively manage to meet customer requirements (OTIF, quality and food safety) and company goals (safety, cost, throughput, inventory and critical KPIs).
• Employ a continuous improvement mindset, skillset and very large.
• Lean toolbox including 6S, value stream analysis, SMED, gemba, heijunka / flow, kaizen, standard work and visual management.
• Identify, plan and implement capital projects on time and on budget that deliver to committed goals for the project.
• Identify, plan and implement automation cost savings opportunities throughout the operation.
• Skillfully manage multiple functions including scheduling / production control, maintenance, capacity management, continuous improvement, etc.
• Drive working capital efficiencies through the manufacturing operations,achieving year-over-year performance improvements in inventory and working capital management.
• Effectively partner with sales, marketing and supply chain functions on balancing supply and demand.
• Employ an SQDCP approach to Lean daily management and visual management, where every team member understands their role and goals and whether they’re successful on a daily basis.

• Ten-plus years of successful experience in a food production / SQF regulatory environment.
• Ten-plus years' experience with ingredient conversions to products and finish pack experience.
• Effective communication skills at all levels of the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.