Area Process Lead

Post Holdings, Inc.; Minnesota; On-site; USD 35,128 - 42,154; Full time

Job summary

Michael Foods, Inc. in Gaylord, Minnesota seeks an Area Process Leader to drive continuous improvement on a production line. You will analyze line losses, lead MOS cycles, and coordinate with supervision to implement loss-elimination plans.

You will develop standards, train operators, maintain Centerline targets, and provide trend data to plant teams while ensuring safety and quality rules are followed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading teams in a high-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience with continuous improvement processes (RCA, 5S, SMED, CAPD, Centerlines).
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• MES training.
• Strong organizational and technical skills.
• Strong communication / training skills / priority setting.

Responsibilities

• Attend and support all line meetings as a part of the MOS process.
• Facilitate the Line Loss Analysis with Area Supervisor to develop improvement plans.
• Use DCAP to analyze line data and identify loss elimination opportunities.
• Work with AS and AML to develop and execute loss elimination plans.
• Lead continuous improvement problem-solving and trigger system within teams.
• Drive root cause problem solving for losses and support sporadic losses.
• Develop control strategies and troubleshooting guides for operators.
• Plan/coordinate training for Process Improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Problem solving

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 5 years’ experience in manufacturing

Tools

MES training

Job description

Business Unit Overview

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that’s First in Food.

Location Description

Michael Foods, Inc. located in Gaylord, Minnesota is Minnesota's Healthy Heartland! Gaylord is located in south central Minnesota about an hour west of the Twin Cities and 35 minutes from Mankato, Hutchinson, and New Ulm. As the County Seat, Gaylord is the "Hub of Sibley County." Our location produces liquid egg, hardcook egg, and precooked egg such as scrambled, patties and omelets.

Responsibilities

Position Summary: The Area Process Leader (APL) is a critical member of the continuous improvement team, focused on driving improvements on a line or area within the facility. Responsible for performing routine loss analysis and building capability within the area to eliminate losses. Conducts analysis and implements improvements for all work processes to eliminate non-value-added work. Execute and/or facilitate improvements through proven MES/CI tools. Must be a change catalyst with strong communication and time management skills. The APL is expected to develop the operating teams’ technical understanding and mastery of process control through the use of problem-solving methodology. The APL is the Centerline owner for the line.

Service to safety: The APL has the responsibility to always comply with safety work rules as well as an obligation to reinforce safety as a core value. Ensures that all policies, procedures, and activities, related to Food Safety & Quality, are followed, and complied with to reduce product and process variability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend and support all line meetings as a part of the MOS process
• Facilitate the Line Loss Analysis (Current/Future State) with Area Supervisor (AS) to develop improvement plans
• Use Do-Check-Act-Plan (DCAP) process to analyze line data to identify and prioritize loss elimination opportunities through the MOS Cycle
• Work with AS and Area Maintenance Leader (AML) as a part of a Team to develop and execute loss elimination plans
• Lead continuous improvement problem‑solving approach and trigger system to start the problem‑solving cycle within team(s) of responsibility
• Drive root cause problem solving for chronic losses, and support problem solving for sporadic losses
• Develop control strategies and troubleshooting guides to enable operators to respond to losses
• Help develop standards and training materials to build problem‑solving capability in team
• Plan/coordinate training to others who will support Process Improvement initiatives
• Routinely coach operators and mechanics on execution and adherence to Centerlines
• Lead process definition to identify Centerline targets and document standards
• Maintain up‑to‑date Centerline targets and track/check compliance to standard
• Provide trended data, ad hoc reports as requested by plant teams
• Owns data integrity and OEE calculations
• Identify savings or performance opportunities
• Support CI & Reliability teams
• Network and share best practices with other locations internal and possibly external to plant

Success Factors:

• Culture Development: Fosters a culture of teamwork within the department, aligned with Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and OEE goals.
• Relationships: Demonstrates strong collaborative leadership with peers and outside groups/stakeholders/leaders to drive results in the plant.
• Results: Strives for world‑class performance and execution; develops and challenges staff to continuously improve and achieve higher performance levels.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrates a basic knowledge of plant financials and budget management.
• Personnel/Team Development and Change Management: Develops personnel and teams, drives improvement processes, and demonstrates knowledge of organizational change principles.
• Root Cause Analysis: High level understanding with ability to lead, mentor, and ensures effective analysis and corrective actions.
• Training: Drives improvements in training effectiveness through goal setting, expectations, and delivery. Will advise On the Job Trainer (OJT) on areas of training improvement.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading teams in a high‑paced manufacturing environment
• Experience with continuous improvement processes (RCA, 5S, SMED, CAPD, Centerlines)
• Collaboration with all levels of employees
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Data comprehension and evaluation concerning process improvements, shrink reduction, budgetary shortfall/surplus, etc.
• MES training
• Strong organizational and technical skills
• Strong communication / training skills / priority setting
• Technical and practical equipment and tool skills
• OC steps 0-4
• Knowledge of OC Visual Standards
• Ability to climb stairs/ladders, lift to 50 lbs., exposure to hot and cold and extensive walking
• Ability to be on call and work extended or after hours as needed

The pay range for this position is $25.50 to $30.60 per hour.