Operations Team Manager II at Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. – Oakland, Mississippi

Operations Team Manager II

US-MS-Oakland

Job ID: 2026-8986
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 across multiple shifts. Lead and develop the 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 (1st and 2nd shift) to meet and exceed performance standards in
Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Specific leadership and oversight provided to 1st shift team.
• Team Manager I on 2nd shift will report to Team Manager II on 1st shift.
• 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 line Team Manager I and
hourly team members.
• Foster a culture of 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:
• Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis

Centerlines
• Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
• Autonomous Maintenance
• Focused Improvement
• Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
• 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

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
4 to 6 years 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 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 (TPM, Lean, Six Sigma).
• Preferred Proficiencies
• Deplyoing and Maintaining GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations
• Other
• Must be willing and able to relocate for promotional opportunities.