Director of Manufacturing and New Product Development

Description

A member of the leadership team, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Director of Manufacturing and New Product Development position directs all manufacturing operations (on property and outsourced) through a team of functional managers and supervisors. Ensures increasing levels of customer and employee satisfaction while improving the efficiency of manpower, materials and machines, and is ultimately responsible for 60+ employees (multi-shifts). Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred, and several years of progressive manufacturing experience (blown film / plastic packaging conversion experience a plus).   

Requirements

• Lead a team of associates by providing performance targets, periodic assessment and feedback, and professional and technical development
• Coordinates production, quality assurance, engineering, maintenance and new product development activities in accordance with policies, principles, and procedures.
• Develops and implements plans for efficient use of materials, machines, and employees.
• Reviews production costs and product quality and modifies production and inventory control programs to maintain and enhance profitable operation.
• Manages policy deployment in the areas of Lean Manufacturing techniques, quality, cost reduction and optimization, complete and on-time delivery, safety, customer satisfaction, employee relations, visual controls and plant performance measures.
• Manages new product development design, testing and production scaling, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Provides leadership for employee relations through effective communications, coaching, training, and development.
• Provides leadership for problem resolution to facilitate fast improvements and improved working relationships.
• Ensures compliance with company standards for cost control, waste reduction, quality, product safety, workplace safety (OSHA and MiOSHA), and complete and on-time delivery at optimal cost.
• Analysis, investment justification, and implementation of capital projects and process improvement projects.
• Balances work cell capacity/loading across the plant.
• Determines operations headcount needs and ensures compliance with company policies.
• Develop and maintain the relevant control activities in compliance with the British Retail Consortium (BRC)
• Manages compliance with state and federal regulations.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Manages subordinate managers and supervisors with responsibility for over 60 employees in production, engineering, maintenance, quality assurance and workplace safety. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Competencies 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures.

Use of Technology - Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Project Management - Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.

Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); fosters quality focus in others; improves processes, products and services.; continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.

Conflict Resolution - Encourages open communications; confronts difficult situations; maintains objectivity; keeps emotions under control; uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment; builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 

Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred. Master's degree preferred; ten + year’s related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills 

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, project management software, and the Microsoft Office Suite of business products (emphasis on Excel).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

 None.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Travel occasionally required.

At Plascon, we work best when we work as a team, when we treat one another with dignity and respect, and value the unique contributions of others. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, religion, color, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.