Operations Team Manager I - 2nd shift in Toluca, Illinois at Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned productionarea. Lead and develop the shift line team to achieve and sustain operational excellence through effective coaching,continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to company standards. Build organizational capability to drive andmaintain improvements in performance and efficiency.

Leadership & Vision
• Lead and motivate the shift line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and
Efficiency.
• 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 for team members to ensure accountability and high performance.
Operations Excellence
• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring line shift operation to standard 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 cost performance for the line.
• 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 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 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.
Position Title: Operations Team Manager I
Reports To: Operations Team Manager II FLSA Status: Exempt

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.
•Function as the primary point of contact for production-related issues for the production line, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.

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 4-year STEM degree program.
•Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
Experience
•Minimum 2 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
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
•Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)
Position is characterized as active work. Job demands may require extended periods of sitting; extended 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 ten (10) pounds and occasionally up to fifty (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.