KHMS Process Owner

Kraft Heinz; Escalon (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401k plan

Paid time off

Company holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Escalon is seeking a Process Owner to lead KHMS TRIO and end-to-end process success, defining goals, designing workflows, KPIs, and documentation. You will drive continuous improvement, manage stakeholders, and mentor CI/Process leads to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and cost targets on a full‑time onsite basis.

The role requires leadership, strong analytical skills, and a focus on safe operations with collaboration across QA, Production, and plant leadership to meet

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in a related field (preferred) and/or 1+ year leadership experience in food/beverage manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of process improvement methods.
• Deep understanding of the process and its strategic importance.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and people skills to motivate teams.
• Analytical and creative thinking to find solutions.
• Adaptability to handle change and resistance.
• Big-picture perspective with attention to detail.
• Emotional intelligence in interactions.
• Excellent analytical reasoning and math skills.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Effective communication and teamwork.
• Ability to lead by example and allocate resources.
• Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheets.
• Commitment to safety and safe practices.
• Prolonged standing and moving around the plant.

Responsibilities

• Define the process mission, objectives, scope, inputs, outputs, and integration with other processes.
• Establish KPIs, monitor performance, report results, and ensure targets are met.
• Identify improvement opportunities, lead change initiatives, and assess process maturity.
• Communicate with users, managers, and other process owners to gain buy-in.
• Maintain process documentation, standards, and adherence to regulations and quality systems.
• Identify risks, implement corrective actions, and address issues.
• Execute food safety requirements with QA, Sanitation, and plant resources.
• Lead investigations via RCFA (root cause failure analysis).
• Monitor process performance and product quality indicators with QA.
• Support QA in process deviations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in audits and review batch analytical data.
• Ensure visual management boards are up to date.
• Collaborate with QA on deviations and compliance gaps.
• Lead projects for continuous improvement.
• Assist supervisor with daily crewing plans for optimum performance.
• Promote safety culture and follow KHMS FSQ standards.
• Communicate pertinent information to managers and other departments.
• Aid in achieving KHMS pillar score and KPI metrics.
• Participate in AAP/implementation for low cost and high quality production.
• Mentor CI/Process lead and maintenance lead.
• Lead operational meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Process improvement

Communication

Analytical thinking

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Emotional intelligence

Problem solving

Team motivation

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet applications

Job description

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Production manager, the Process Owner will lead the KHMS TRIO and specific business process's end-to-end success, defining its goals, designing workflows, setting performance metrics (KPIs), monitoring outcomes, ensuring alignment with company strategy, managing documentation, and driving continuous improvement and changes, requiring strong leadership, communication, and strategic thinking to manage stakeholders and resolve issues.

Job Description

The Process Owner has primary responsibility for effective operation of food processing and packaging equipment accomplished in a manner to enhance the overall performance of the plant. To meet this objective, this position manages the overall production processes to meet or exceed quality, safety, productivity, and cost standards. This position will be the owner of their individual KHMS Process/Pillar. The Process Owner will work with management to develop a high-performance team; one that is self-directed, motivated, innovative, dependent upon the contributions of every individual, and properly trained to meet the changing requirements of the operation.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Define the process mission, objectives, scope, inputs, outputs, and how it integrates with other processes.
• Establish KPIs, monitor performance, report on results, and ensure the process meets targets.
• Identify improvement opportunities, lead change initiatives, and assess process maturity to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Communicate with users, managers, and other process owners to get buy-in and manage change.
• Maintain process documentation, standards, and ensure adherence to relevant regulations or quality systems (e.g., EHS, HACCP).
• Identify risks, roadblocks, and implement corrective actions for issues that arise.
• Execute food safety requirements in collaboration with Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and other plant resources.
• Lead and/or assist others in conducting investigations through RCFA (root cause failure analysis).
• Monitor process performance and product quality indicators and take appropriate actions, in partnership with QA, to support right-first-time production.
• Support execution of established quality control measures and verify adherence to process flow requirements in partnership with QA.
• Participate in process and quality audits, and review process batch analytical data for completeness and accuracy with QA support as needed.
• Ensure that all visual management boards are up to date and used effectively.
• Collaborate with QA to address process deviations, corrective actions, compliance gaps, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Review call outs from audits in DPM.
• Lead projects in efforts of continuous improvement.
• Assist supervisor with generating daily crewing plans for optimum performance, including but not limited to daily crewing, hours, and overtime avoidance.
• Promote a culture of safety and health by performing work safely in accordance with all company safety procedures; report any unsafe work conditions or practices to supervisor. Occupational safety and health performance is measured in this position.
• Support implementation and sustainment of KHMS FSQ standards as outlined in the plant accountability list, in alignment with QA and plant leadership expectations.
• Effectively communicate pertinent information to managers and other departments.
• Aid in achieving KHMS pillar score and KPI metrics that support them, which will lead safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, customer service, cost and employee engagement objectives through both individual and team contributions.
• Participate in development of AAP/implementation to ensure low cost AND high-quality production.
• Mentor CI/Process lead and maintenance lead to identify improvements and apply problem-solving techniques.
• Lead operational meetings.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Possess a degree in a related field (preferred) and/or a minimum of 1-year previous experience in food/beverage manufacturing working in a leadership capacity is preferred.
• Must have a solid understanding of process improvement methods.
• Deep understanding of the process and its strategic importance.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and people skills to motivate teams.
• Analytical and creative thinking to find solutions.
• Adaptability to handle change and resistance.
• Big-picture perspective combined with attention to detail.
• Must demonstrate emotional intelligence in interactions.
• Excellent analytical reasoning skills, math skills, organizational skills.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Must be able to lead by example and can allocate resources as situations change.
• Computer skills required include word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Must be able to work in a safe manner.
• Prolonged periods of standing and performing repetitive actions that entail moving around the plant production floor and building, frequent bending, climbing, reaching and stooping.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This position is considered a Manufacturing plant environment with heavy machinery and equipment.
• Working conditions include extremes of hot and cold temperatures as well as wet conditions.
• Overtime may be required.
• Role requires full-time onsite work schedule, with willingness to flex schedules, if necessary, to meet with employees on other shifts.

Wage Rate

Hourly Wage Rate: $36.00

Benefits

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits Details

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Escalon

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact [e-mail].