Industrial Performance & Digital Transformation Manager

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in San Leandro, CA, seeks an Industrial Performance professional to optimize operations. You will drive efficiency across manufacturing and packaging, lead data‑driven decisions, and support digitalization across plant facilities.

The role emphasizes implementing Industry 4.0 initiatives, establishing standards, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to reduce losses and improve performance. Travel up to 25% may be required as needed.

Qualifications

• BA degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in Industrial Performance with hands‑on shopfloor exposure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic recommendations across multiple functions to drive efficiency, innovation, and value in product development.
• Establish and manage manufacturing standards for new products.
• Support cross‑functional teams to execute production trials with minimal cost impact.
• Lead Industry 4.0/digitalization initiatives to elevate operational maturity in San Leandro and related facilities.
• Monitor KPI analysis, loss trends, and reporting to drive loss reduction across LPW pillars.

Skills

Industrial performance

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

SAP experience

Education

BA in Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way you do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli's future.

Job Summary

Scope and Accountability:

• Individual contributor, with cross‑functional influence.
• Responsibilities in San Leandro plant and Co‑Pack facilities.
• Responsibilities in other areas of Supply Chain.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Leverage deep knowledge of production processes to provide strategic recommendations across multiple functions in the organization, with the goal of driving efficiency, innovation and value in product development.
• Establishes and manages manufacturing standards for new products.
• Support cross‑functional teams to execute production trials for new products and/or process changes, while minimizing impact on cost and performance.
• Drive the implementation of digital applications, plant data collection and reporting systems to enhance plant KPIs and decision‑making and reduce processing losses in generating the data.
• Ensure accurate and complete reporting of the plant performance, efficiency, waste and recommend improvements.
• Develop, organize, and maintain material training for the operations data system and digital learning platforms.
• Provide training and guidance to teams on digital tools, loss categorization, data‑driven decision‑making.
• Monitor and support KPI analysis, loss trend tracking, deployment activities, and zero loss tree initiatives to drive loss reduction across LPW pillars.
• Fosters and promotes a culture of ownership of performance metrics in all levels.
• Establish budget standards to support the annual budget cycle and budget reviews.
• Ensure manufacturing standards are continuously reviewed and optimized to minimize waste and inefficiencies.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as Industry 4.0 / digitalization to elevate operational maturity.
• Monitor & share industry trends and technological advancements to drive continuous improvement in San Leandro operation.
• Actively participates in LPW pillar and provides leadership for assigned projects.
• Support performance reporting and business planning, including preparation of the Game Plan and OPS deck for key stakeholder visits.
• Lead cost savings program by owning the methodology, reporting, updates, and follow‑up processes.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned or as necessary.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

• BA degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in Industrial Performance, with hands‑on shopfloor exposure and proven focus on loss intelligence through the design, implementation, and improvement of systems that drive reduction of manufacturing, processing and packing losses.
• Proven experience in implementing Industry 4.0 / digitalization initiatives.
• Proven experience in establishing and managing manufacturing standards and cost modeling to support operations budgeting and financial planning.
• Proven experience in project management and change management.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Computer literacy in MS Office.
• Experience with SAP a plus.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Requirements

• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hours.
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% of time.
• Works in a regular office environment.

Work Schedule & Compensation

Work schedule: standard office hours, with flexibility to support off‑shift operations as needed. Salary Range: $105k-137k.