Cell Leader

Affinity Petcare; Town of Italy (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount on Amazon products

Professional development opportunities

Celebration and fun

Job summary

A leading pet food company in New York is seeking a skilled Cell Leader to oversee production operations and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will lead a team, drive performance, and manage cost-effective production processes. Experience in manufacturing and effective communication skills are essential. Benefits include discounts and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in shopfloor operations with small team leadership.
• Hands-on experience in safety and quality compliance.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes and Lean tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational performance meetings and define daily action plans.
• Accountable for all production personnel in the cell.
• Drive cell-level safety performance and minimize consumer complaints.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Coaching

Education

Upper Secondary Diploma or Technical Degree

University Degree in Engineering

Job description

Your role

We are looking for a Cell Leader for the Production team in our factory in Mantova, who will report to Production Manager. In this role, you will be fully accountable for the Safety, Quality, People, Delivery, Cost, and Innovation (SQPDCI) results of a production cell, which includes multiple lines. The primary purpose of this role is to eliminate losses across the entire cell, remove barriers for the Line Leaders in the team, and ensure that each line achieves its business results in a Manufacturing Excellence environment.

What you will do

• Target Deployment and Strategy Execution: Lead the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach for the cell to deploy objectives and track key business indicators. Working with the Reliability and Process Leaders to develop a loss map for the production lines and define a master plan of initiatives to achieve operational targets. This team is also responsible for identifying capability needs and driving development plans for the cell team.
• Performance Management: Oversee daily operational performance meetings, aligning with the Process Leader, Reliability Leader, and other support functions. The Cell Leader defines and reviews the daily action plan, focusing on priorities and ensuring resource availability and alignment. They also act as a role model to coach and promote a "Run-To-Target" culture.
• People Management: The Cell Leader is accountable for all production personnel in the cell, including direct and temporary staff. They must foster a High-Performance Organization culture, promote accountability, and develop a backup system to handle staffing variability. A key responsibility is to oversee the complete performance cycle for the team, including dialogues and salary reviews.
• Safety and Quality: The Cell Leader owns and drives the cell-level safety performance, ensuring the elimination of risks and potential hazards. They are also responsible for ensuring that consumer complaints and product rejections are minimized through robust quality systems.
• Cost and Innovation: Support loss mapping and drive cost reduction initiatives, such as improving labor, equipment, and material productivity. Also involves participating in innovation initiatives, like new product launches or new equipment installations, ensuring the team's early involvement and operational readiness.

Who we are looking for

• Education: An Upper Secondary (High School Diploma) or Technical Degree is required, while a University Degree in Engineering or a related field is preferred. Certifications or formal training in Lean, World Class Manufacturing, or similar methodologies are also preferable.
• Experience: The candidate must have experience in shopfloor operations with proven capability in leading small teams (e.g., 5-10 operators). Hands‑on experience in safety and quality compliance, problem‑solving, and resolving technical issues within a manufacturing environment is also essential.
• Competencies: The ability to lead multiple teams, manage conflict, and communicate clearly at all levels is crucial. The ideal candidate should be skilled in coaching and developing Line Leaders and high‑potential talent. They must be capable of planning and executing cell‑wide initiatives, aligning resources with business objectives.
• Functional Expertise: Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes and dynamics is required. This includes familiarity with operational equipment, basic maintenance processes, production scheduling systems, and Lean tools. An understanding of cost drivers and an analytical approach to highlight main gaps is also necessary.

What we offer

• Discount on Amazon products
• Affinity University platform: Professional development opportunities for employees at different stages of their career, recognising different career paths.
• Celebration and fun

If you don’t meet all the requirements, don’t worry. We value diverse backgrounds and encourage you to apply anyway. Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed!

We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We firmly believe that embracing a variety of perspectives is essential to the success of our company and the strength of our team. That is why we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

Our company

Affinity Petcare is much more than an international petfood company. For over 60 years we have been dedicated to nurturing healthy bonds between dogs, cats and people to make the world a better place.

We are very proud of our innovative brands, including Ultima, Advance, Brekkies, Nature’s Variety, Nature’s Menu, Natural Trainer, Libra and others. Currently, we have more than 1,200 professionals working with this purpose from Barcelona, Paris, Milan and London, as well as 4 production sites with which we supply the more than 70 countries where our brands are present.

So, what are you waiting for? Join our team to make your mark!

Want to know more about us?

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and job opportunities. You can also follow us on Instagram to find out more about life at Affinity and hear stories from our team.