Area Leader, Plant

J.M. Smucker; Orrville (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

J.M. Smucker is seeking an Area Leader, Logistics in Orrville, Ohio. This on-site role will lead and develop the technician workforce, oversee staffing and training, and drive performance across safety, quality, reliability, and cost for the Orrville manufacturing operation.

You will own department performance against Ops Ex targets, manage the scorecard, and champion continuous improvement across multiple shifts, aligning with the company’s Basic Beliefs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 2 years of related manufacturing/logistics experience.
• Experience leading/coaching teams and managing staffing.
• Strong computer aptitude with MS Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop technicians and coordinators across multiple shifts.
• Drive operations excellence, monitor KPIs, and manage department scorecards.
• Identify losses, lead continuous improvement, and ensure safety and quality.
• Coordinate staffing, training plans, and employee relations.
• Communicate performance results monthly.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Area Leader, Logistics

Be part of the team behind some of America's most iconic jams and jellies. As an Area Leader, Logistics, you'll play an important role in keeping our Orrville manufacturing operation moving, leading the people and processes that help deliver trusted J.M. Smucker products to consumers. You'll develop teams, improve performance, and drive excellence across safety, quality, reliability, and cost while helping support brands that have been part of family tables for generations.

Location: Orrville, OH

Work Arrangements: 100% on-site

Willingness to flex your schedule, work extended hours, and flow to the work as needed to support multiple shifts and business needs.

In This Role You Will

Lead & Develop People

• Develop the skills and capabilities of the technician workforce.
• Build leadership capability among Coordinators, Team Leaders, and Reliability Leaders.
• Coach operating teams to meet or exceed performance expectations.
• Manage staffing, Workday, training plans, employee relations, and conflict resolution.
• Provide leadership and visibility across multiple shifts, flexing your schedule as needed.
• Lead with the company's Basic Beliefs as a foundation.

Drive Operational Performance

• Own department performance against Operations Excellence (Ops Ex) targets.
• Develop and maintain the department scorecard and share performance results with the team each month.
• Develop a strong understanding of overall plant product flow, including key inputs and outputs.
• Identify, prioritize, and eliminate losses within the operation.
• Attend daily DDS meetings, report on department performance, and ensure follow-up actions are completed.

Champion Continuous Improvement

• Lead Operations Excellence initiatives for the team.
• Support and lead Operations Excellence (Ops Ex) efforts within the department.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective troubleshooting, problem-solving, and performance management.
• Partner across the operation to identify opportunities that improve the safety, reliability, quality, and efficiency of the department.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 2 years of related experience required.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing, logistics, or transportation environment required.
• Previous people management experience required.
• Strong computer aptitude, including experience with Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint .

Additional Experience That Would Make You Successful

• Food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or management experience in a union environment preferred.
• Warehouse Management System (WMS) experience is a plus.
• OSHA Powered Industrial Vehicle (PIV) management experience is a plus.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage people, projects, and data.
• Demonstrated ability to coach teams to meet or exceed expectations.
• Self‑motivation with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

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.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn

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.