Area Leader

The J.M. Smucker Co.; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Co. in New Orleans, LA seeks an Area Leader to oversee a team of Technicians and Team Leaders, ensuring safety, quality and operational excellence. This role involves coaching, staffing strategy, and driving a zero-loss culture to deliver department goals.

You will work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement master plans, address safety concerns, and foster peak performance through leadership development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing operations experience.
• Engineering degree preferred.
• Experience coaching, developing and leading others.
• Project planning experience.
• Experience managing people in a high-performance environment.
• Experience in food processing or related engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of hourly Technicians and Team Leaders to meet safety and quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and zero-loss culture.
• Develop and execute department master plan.
• Coach and develop operational leadership for peak performance.

Skills

Coaching

Team leadership

Project planning

People management

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Engineering degree

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Area Leader

The Area Leader will be responsible for the leadership and business results of a team of hourly Technicians and Team Leaders; ensure the team meets safety, quality and operational standards; and facilitate team development and skill building through coaching and mentoring team members.

Location: New Orleans, LA - Chef manufacturing plant

Work Arrangements: Monday to Friday, willingness to work off shift (including nights, weekends, and/or holidays) and flow to the work as needed

In This Role You Will

• Champions department daily plan and following through on open items needed by the team. Participates in the department Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meetings


• Accountable for the daily operations and team performance (Safety, Quality, Reliability, Cost, Org. Capability)


• Role models our Basic Beliefs, Our Commitment to Each Other, and Emotional Intelligence to build resonance


• Works with operating teams to address safety concerns and assist in resolution


• Responsible for driving department issues to root cause and developing a zero-loss and continuous improvement culture


• Performance management, staffing strategy and developing a “flow to the work” culture


• Partner with Manager in developing and delivering Department Master Plan


• Ensures that essential business information and general expectations are clearly communicated and understood by all members of the team


• Develop and coach operational and leadership skills of Team Leaders and Technicians to enhance peak performance through Operational Excellence and High-Performance Organization (HPO) tools and design principles


• Assist in developing and executing key technical and organizational projects while increasing Operational Excellence capability within the organization


• Responsible to collaborate across all pillars and leadership


• Acts as the technical resource for operating teams

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree


• 2 years of manufacturing operational experience

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role

• An Engineering degree


• Experience coaching, developing, and leading others


• Project planning experience


• Prior experience managing people and/or teams in a high-performance work environment


• Food processing, pet or human food manufacturing, and/or engineering experience

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.