Operations Team Manager II in Toluca, Illinois at Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned production areaacross multiple shifts. Lead and develop the line team to achieve and sustain operational excellence through effectivecoaching, continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to company standards. Build organizational capability todrive and maintain improvements in performance and efficiency

Leadership & Vision
Lead and motivate the production line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Costand Efficiency within the designated work area(s) on multiple shifts.
Direct leadership and oversight to assigned production line(s).
Developing and coaching Team Manager I positions across various shifts, including performance management, professional development plans and goal setting.
Oversee all production activities across multiple shifts on one line or multiple lines, ensuring the safe, timely and efficient manufacturing of food products.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and lower operational costs.
Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues, from equipment failures to workflow bottlenecks.
Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and goals.
Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and corporate goals.
Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
Provide coaching and feedback to all team members to drive accountability and high performance.

Operations Excellence
Oversee daily production activities, ensuring smooth line operation and quick resolution of any production issues.
Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and company safety policies.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement).

Financial Management
Develop and manage the budget for the production line, ensuring cost control and optimal resource utilization.
Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial targets.
Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.

Talent & Organizational Development
Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing the Team Manager I and hourly team members.
Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
Ensure Team Manager I and hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including:
o Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis
o Centerlines
o Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
o Autonomous Maintenance
o Focused Improvement
o Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
o STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool
Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships:
Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve production challenges.
Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
Act as the primary point of contact for production-related issues, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.
Engage in strategic planning with site leaders to ensure long-term operational success.

Education
Minimum Associate of Science degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Food Science, Technology, Math, etc.) required.
Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a STEM degree program.
Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
Experience
Minimum of 4 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
Preferred minimum of 2 years of AFNA manufacturing experience in a leadership role.
Demonstrated Proficiencies
Multiple examples of successfully delivering performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
Multiple examples of building organizational capabilities (team skill proficiency improvements, team promotions)
Multiple examples of solving issues to root cause and eliminating recurrence.
Multiple examples of deploying improvement tools and frameworks with measurable outcomes. (TPM, Lean, Six Sigma).
Preferred Proficiencies
Extensive knowledge in deploying and maintaining GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and food safety regulations.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)
Position is characterized as active work. Job demands may require long periods of sitting; long periods of standing; telephone work and/or computer work as well as interactions with other employees and customers. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or touch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. The employee must be capable of working in hot (100 °F) or cold (0 °F) environments for extended periods of time. Some travel will be necessary.