Department: Plant Operations - Packaging

Summary:Summary: Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Packaging Department Manager manages and oversees the Packaging Department with an expense budget of $4.5MM and a staff of more than 120 employees and contractors on designated shifts to achieve operational objectives. Incumbent observes, analyzes and researches packaging line operation to develop and implement efficient and effective processes. He or she implements quality control checks to ensure that the packaging meets environmental, health, and safety regulations.

The Packaging Department Manager will work within the Freeport Plant location, and could be exposed to plant and environmental conditions including temperature variations, noise, etc. The incumbent will work in a plant environment, interacting with others within and outside of the facility and must be able to build and maintain strong working relationships. He or she must be able to sit, stand, walk, and bend regularly and be able to regularly lift 25 or more pounds. He or she must be able to communicate via telephone and computer frequently and effectively.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following items. Other duties may be assigned as needed to meet business and customer needs.

• Acquires and applies precise knowledge of over 300 SKUs as they relate to rice types, customer code dating, specific production marks, and pallet configurations;
• Provides leadership, including giving support and direction, to Packaging Department staff in order to meet or exceed operational objectives;
• Provides regular feedback and participates in manager level duties including hiring, firing, giving feedback, taking corrective action, and implementing disciplinary measures;
• Effectively manages departmental expenses with an approximate budget of $4.5MM of labor, equipment repairs, operating supplies, etc;
• Oversees daily operations of Packaging Department to meet or exceed defined production, quality, safety, sanitation and special projects to meet or exceed standards set by the FDA, USDA, and 3rd Party Food Safety Auditors;
• Studies and learns packaging machine capabilities and makes recommendations in regards to achieving greater efficiency and versatility for both scheduling and change overs;
• Assists Production Clerk with daily production schedules, required machine manning, daily inventory reconciliation, and production order input;
• Coordinates any production issues concerning special or rush orders with Logistics / Shipping Departments;
• Acts as liaison to Corporate Sales teams / departments, both Domestic and International, concerning promotions and special orders;
• Coordinates all production materials needed per shift in conjunction with Inventory Clerk and Materials Warehouse;
• Monitors inventories of various types of pallets used in the production process and communicates needs to both the Materials Clerk and Purchasing Department;
• Maintains proper levels of repair parts and operating supplies in order to minimize and preferably eliminate downtime; and
• Oversees the monthly Departmental Safety Meetings, including conducting presentations of materials when needed;
• Accurately responds to intercompany correspondence both in writing via email and over the telephone in a timely manner including all relevant data;
• Performs various other duties and participates in operational projects as requested.

Qualification/requirement:

• Demonstrated ability to accurately follow company processes and guidelines with particular focus on accurate and timely data entry
• Ability to effectively plan and organize daily work to ensure that priority tasks are completed in a timely manner
• Must be able to learn and adapt quickly to situation
• Must have ability to recall large amounts of data and information from memory
• Possess strong customer service orientation with the ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships internally and externally and ability to work with a diverse population that includes dispatchers and transportation professionals, drivers, etc.
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to effectively complete assigned duties and responsibilities under immense pressure and within specified time frames
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both orally and in writing
• Strong team player who is able to display and convey a positive attitude
• Demonstrated capabilities of dependability, leadership, and reliability
• Must be able to give direction, support, and feedback to employees at all levels
• Ability to manage large volume inventories and materials
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and related employment laws and regulations and ability to apply such to maximize efficiency and minimize risk
• Computer proficiency: SAP, as well as MS Word, Outlook, Access, and Excel within a Vista Operating Platform.

Experience/Training:

• Associate's Degree or Equivalent Required; Bachelors Degree or Further education a plus
• Five (5) - ten (10) years relevant experience; preference to work experience directly related to high volume, fast paced Poly form and fill, Carton and Bagging operations
• Electrical and mechanical experience a plus
• Bilingual (English / Spanish) communication skills preferred and helpful but not required
• Any combination of relevant education and experience to equate to the above requirements.