Manufacturing Manager

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. is seeking a Senior KHMS Cultural Transformation and Leadership leader to drive digital technology adoption and agile practices across production operations.

You will lead and develop front-line leaders, champion safety and quality, and collaborate across departments to optimize run strategies and cost management. The role emphasizes transformational leadership, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making to achieve World Class standards in Safety, Quality, Cost,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Food Technology, or related field.
• 10+ years manufacturing experience with at least 5 years in progressive leadership roles.
• Strong ability to drive transformational change and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead KHMS Cultural Transformation and Leadership initiatives using digital technologies and agile methodologies.
• Develop and mentor front-line production leaders, promoting safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Implement Safety and Quality Excellence programs aligned with regulatory requirements (USDA & FDA).
• Optimize production planning, scheduling and cost control, including labor costs and waste reduction.
• Drive data-driven decisions by monitoring KPIs and reporting to senior management.
• Coordinate with Plant Manager, S&OP, Production Scheduling, and Maintenance to optimize portfolio run strategy.
• Engage stakeholders across departments to align with production milestones and requirements.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and develop engagement strategies with KHMS leadership principles.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Food Technology, or related degree

Tools

Digital tools

Data analytics

Job description

KHMS Cultural Transformation and Leadership

Drive the implementation of digital technologies and agile methodologies to support the KHMS cultural transformation, achieving an empowered culture with World Class standards and results for Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People. Lead and develop a team of production front-line leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and safety.

Safety and Quality Excellence

Implement strategies to drive a Safety & Quality Perfect Culture throughout the Processes, leveraging digital tools and data analytics to identify areas for improvement. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and industry standards with USDA & FDA.

Production Optimization

Achieve desired production costs, including fixed and variable labor costs, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), waste, attainment, and business waste. Utilize digital tools to optimize production planning and scheduling and take ownership of savings initiatives for the department. Managing workforce during seasonality and be cost effective with labor hours per ton.

Product Portfolio Management

Work with Plant Manager, S&OP, Production Scheduling and Maintenance to support managing a complex product portfolio for optimal run strategy and influence future fit portfolio transformation to produce quality products in a safe and cost-effective manner. Evaluating potential service risk in the network, building strategies to mitigate impacts, and support the Business before there is a risk.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

Liaise and collaborate with key stakeholders (departments) to ensure full alignment with production schedules, key production milestones and requirements, including Sanitation, Quality, Maintenance, Research & Development, Planning, Logistics, and Brand.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Work with KHMS leads to develop and implement continuous improvement programs and identify opportunities to leverage KHMS strategies and digital technologies to drive innovation and continuous improvement in production processes.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management, providing regular updates on plant performance, risks, and opportunities. Utilize digital tools to enhance data analytics and reporting. Such as production volume, yield rate, defect rates, downtime hours per shift, and other key performance indicators (KPIs), to identify areas for improvement.

Finance and Resource Management

Manage and optimize the production budget and resources to ensure efficient and effective operations. Reporting Capex project forecast and milestones.

Engagement and Leadership Development

Foster positive employee relations and engagement by developing front-line leaders, providing coaching, mentoring, and feedback. Collaborate with functional leads and stakeholders to develop and implement short and long-term employee engagement strategies using KHMS and KHC leadership principles.

Bachelor's degree in business, Food Technology, or related degree is strongly preferred 8-10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment is required 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment is required with a proven track record of driving transformational change and achieving operational excellence.

Business and Financial Acumen

Demonstrated understanding of business principles, including financial management, market trends, and competitive analysis, with a proven ability to manage budgets, forecast financial performance, and make data-driven decisions that optimize financial results.

Transformational Leadership

Proven ability to drive transformational change, achieve operational excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Leadership & Team Development

Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach, and empower team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Effective Communication & Collaboration

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to lead change, collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Strong analytical capabilities to assess performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop effective strategies that enhance operational efficiency and productivity.

Must be able to work flexible hours and weekend work.