Operations Team Manager I - Line 5/6 at Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. – Oakland, Mississippi

Operations Team Manager I - Line 5/6

US-MS-Oakland

Job ID: 2026-8994
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Production Management
Oakland Plant

Overview

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned production area. 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 and maintain improvements in performance and efficiency.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

· Lead and motivate the line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

· 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 on priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.

· Provide coaching and feedback to 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, Delivery, and Cost, 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 line operators and technicians.

· Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous

· 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 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

Qualifications

Education:

2 Year / Associate Degree 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:
2 to 4 years Minimum 2 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.

Certifications:
Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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).