Manufacturing Operations Lead

Kerry; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Employee Share Plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Manufacturing Leader to oversee daily production operations, ensure safety, quality, and efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across shifts. The role demands strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and a hands-on approach to problem solving in a fast-paced facility.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in manufacturing leadership, Lean principles, and SAP familiarity.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders and plant leadership teams.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, coaching, and developing leaders across the organization.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, engage, and lead high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels of the business.
• Ability to identify and engage key stakeholders to support successful project execution and organizational change initiatives.
• Proven experience creating high-performing team environments through coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and capability development.
• Strong change management experience with the ability to drive and sustain organizational transformation.
• Ability to think strategically, challenge existing practices, ask insightful questions, and prioritize initiatives that support broader business objectives.
• Proven project management experience with practical knowledge of project management tools, techniques, and delivery methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, and meet demanding deadlines.
• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to translate operational improvements into measurable business impact.
• Working knowledge of Lean principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and technology solutions; SAP experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, safety standards, quality requirements, and operational goals are achieved.
• Lead shift planning and scheduling activities, including labor availability, production schedules, raw materials, packaging requirements, and equipment readiness.
• Ensure successful line start-up by verifying Health & Safety requirements, material availability, equipment readiness, line set-up, audits, and pre-production documentation.
• Monitor and support BOM production activities, including raw material management, recipe adherence, compliance checks, and process confirmations.
• Identify, elevate and resolve production issues while implementing corrective actions and countermeasures to minimize operational disruptions.
• Ensure completion of quality checks, critical control point monitoring, traceability documentation, and adherence to visual standards throughout production.
• Drive line and area performance through QSHE reviews, production efficiency reviews, daily huddles, and attainment-to-plan management.
• Lead layered process confirmations and participate in site and functional meetings to maintain operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Oversee production completion activities, including production run reviews, SAP order completion support, yield analysis, waste reduction, and CIP reviews.
• Manage employee development through training plans while supporting performance management, disciplinary processes, attendance management, and overtime requirements.
• Ensure effective shift management by coordinating breaks, changeovers, resource allocation, and daily escalated communications.
• Lead audits and investigations, including internal and external audits, complaints, Health & Safety incidents, bottleneck analysis, audit findings, and Intelex investigations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Change management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Coaching & development

Team building

Problem solving

Lean / continuous improvement

Tools

SAP

Job description

Kerry is seeking a Manufacturing Leader to oversee daily production operations, ensure safety, quality, and efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across shifts. The role demands strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and a hands-on approach to problem solving in a fast-paced facility.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in manufacturing leadership, Lean principles, and SAP familiarity.