Director, Plant Operations

Department:Office

Location:South St. Paul, MN

About the Wellness Pet Company

The Wellness Pet Company crafts and produces premium natural pet food, treats, and dental chews. We believe that natural, premium nutrition focused on proven health outcomes is the foundation of creating a mutual wellbeing for pets and their families. As a community of people, Wellies are positively obsessed about how to win for pets and their parents. We believe in the difference we make every single day, and we know that when we work collaboratively, Wellies are unstoppable -- Not only in providing the best nutrition to pets, but in building a better tomorrow for pets, their parents, and the world. When you join Wellness Pet, you join a team whose aligned values and purpose create a unique and exciting place to work every day. Join us on our adventure to fulfill a life of wellbeing together with pets and their parents. Come for a walk with us today!

What You'll Accomplish

The Director of Plant Operations is a full-time, salaried position responsible for managing all food production and packaging operations. This position supports all aspects of the plant's operations; including data entry, planning, production, packaging, quality, and employee health and safety. This position maintains overall supervision of employees in all areas of the plant. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Manages personnel in areas of data entry, planning and production.

• Aligns activities to assess production metrics in the development of operational plans and continuous improvement activities.

• Partners with leadership on continuous improvement activities in areas of employee health & safety, quality & food safety, and productivity.

• Oversees the planning function to ensure alignment with the corporate demand plan and local production schedules.

• Facilitates efficient generation of production schedules for timely delivery of customer orders.

• Efficiently balances the production plan and manufacturing costs.

• Oversees the data entry function to ensure timely reporting and accuracy of shop orders.

• Ensures effective employee relations by providing employee coaching and development and resolving employee issues through problem resolution.

• Trains and develops department leads to become receptive to change and continuous improvement.

• Ensures personnel are properly trained to fulfill their essential duties and responsibilities.

• Ensures that all operating procedures and standards are established and followed.

• Interfaces with internal and external customers and all levels of management.

• Demonstrates initiative in accomplishing objectives and serving as a positive leadership model to other employees.

• Maintains a change-oriented work culture where employee concerns are addressed and the operational objectives are realized.

• Monitors and controls the department budget in accordance with the annual operating plan.

• Participates in routine audits and assists in the development of procedures & corrective actions.

• Supports WellPet policies and procedures and conducts departmental and company activities in accordance with these policies.

• Safety

• Completes safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to the Environmental Health & Safety Manager.

• Responsible to participate in mandatory safety training program requirements.

• Required to report all safety issues, near misses, and injuries.

• Quality & Food Safety

• Completes quality and food safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager.

• Responsible to participate in mandatory food safety and quality training program requirements.

• Preserves the integrity of the BRC system through adherence to the policies and procedures outlined in the Quality Policy Manual. Takes actions necessary to resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies.

• Required to report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

  Who We're Looking For

  Team Wellie is a group of people who are truly obsessed with all the best ways about winning for the consumer and the pets they love. And so, we are seeking an individual who:

• Is consumer focused on all they do.

• Continually challenge themselves to go the extra mile to get the job done, and ensure it-s done the right way as opposed to the easy way.

• Hold themselves and others accountable.

• Embraces continual development through the sharing of feedback and investment in learning opportunities.

• Is a true collaborator, sharing resources, and engages in healthy debate.

• Celebrates differences and strives to learn from others who are different from themselves.

• Give back to their community and support sustainable practices.

  In addition, for this specific role, we are seeking an individual with:

• Plant Management experience in a food or beverage manufacturing facility

• Extensive experience managing large production teams- a minimum of 7 years of experience

• Associates degree and/or equivalent related experience in manufacturing

• Good math and analytical skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Teams)

• Good communication skills (oral and written)

• Ability to work well with others

• Self- motivated

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of changing situations

• Able to lift up to 65 pounds

• Able to regularly sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the facility

• Able to be exposed to shop elements such as noise, dust, odors, fumes and oils

• Ability to work in hot and cold environments

  Why Work for Wellness Pet

  We care about the wellbeing of our people, their families, and their pets. So we treat every Wellie to a comprehensive benefits package full of extras to support their health, pets, passions, and professional Development. More information about our benefits can be found on our website.

  The Wellness Pet Company is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

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