Plant Operations Manager

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is currently looking for an Operations Manager to join our team in Lehigh Valley, PA. This 300,000 square foot plant was built in 2014 and is the newest Ocean Spray facility, capable of producing up to 40 million cases per year. This volume represents 40% of Ocean Spray’s North American volume and is operated with a workforce of approximately 200 employees. If you are an experienced leader with a passion for challenging and engaging others, we want you to come join our exciting and dynamic team in producing the best juice in the world.

Direct and manage all plant operations (blending, production, maintenance, & on-line quality); facilitate the maximization of resources (human and automated) to achieve customer satisfaction, productivity, schedule adherence and economic goals. Insure effective team development of the operations function through performance management processes. Serve as a key member of the local senior leadership team and of the operations network across the system in developing our functional capability.  Support and promote food safety and quality program initiatives within the plant environment. 

 Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct, coordinate and facilitate the daily activities of direct reports to ensure the achievement of production goals and customer expectations in a safe, timely, cost-effective manner.
• Ensure standards for product quality, equipment, and operator performance are maintained and that cost-effective technology is used to maximize production. Ensure fixed assets are preserved.  
• Develop departmental budget, monitor plant spending, and report on operating costs within functional areas.  
• Work effectively with plant functional managers to develop and maintain a positive employee relations environment.  Advise management team on labor issues including safety, security, employee relations, scheduling, training, grievances and the like. 
• Serve as key member of the plant leadership team in developing the plant’s strategic direction, establishing priorities
  and allocating resources.
• Works in conjunction with EHS to ensure that environmental compliance activities and requirements are met. 
• Influences all staff to report food safety issues to personnel with authority to initiate immediate corrective actions.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements:

• BS/BA in business administration, industrial engineering or related major or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 to 10 years’ experience in management/supervisory role in manufacturing plants in the food/beverage industry.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of TPM including autonomous maintenance.
• Understand line loss analysis with capability of building long range plans to improve line performance.
• Excel at root cause and correction action processes.
• Works well with management, peers and subordinates.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent understanding of manufacturing operations.
• Strong ability to influence, provide leadership, work in a team environment or independently.
• Able to interact effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Preference given to those with the ability and willingness to relocate to next level within 2-3 years.
• Ability to travel as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike--we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.