Operations Manager

Blommer Chocolate Company; East Greenville (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision

Birthday chocolate

Job summary

Blommer Chocolate Company in the United States seeks an experienced manufacturing leader to manage plant production, develop managers, and drive safety, quality, and cost initiatives.

You will lead cross-functional teams, optimize processes, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with safety and GMP standards while leveraging data to guide spending decisions. The role requires 7+ years in manufacturing leadership and SAP experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in manufacturing as department leader with supervisory direct report.
• Experience in project management, budgeting, and lean/quality initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage plant production and develop managers and supervisors through coaching.
• Lead staff to meet quality, productivity, safety, and financial goals.
• Ensure training, set stretch goals, and support team development.
• Provide leadership through communication, coaching, training, and development.
• Lead site meetings to align cross-functional teams and key issues.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Leadership

Budget development

Lean tools

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

Description

Blommer has been providing delicious, high-quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939. Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage plant production and related functions while developing functional managers and supervisors through coaching and mentoring
• Lead staff in meeting or exceeding functional goals for quality, productivity, food safety, worker safety, and financial performance, ensuring alignment with operational objectives
• Ensure employees are properly trained in their work activities, establish stretch goals, and support the team’s continued development
• Provide leadership through clear communication, coaching, training, and development
• Conduct, facilitate and participate in site meetings to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and communication across functions and shifts and to promote a shared understanding of key issues, including production, downtime, and scheduled repairs
• Support managers and supervisors in resolving issues proactively and promptly through data analysis, investigation, and discussion
• Ensure compliance with organizational and site policies and procedures related to safety, employee relations, and performance
• Provide leadership and input on plant improvement initiatives to enhance quality, improve timeliness, and minimize costs
• Use the RedZone platform to improve reliability and communication, establish goals and standards, and analyze data to identify improvements and support spending decisions
• Establish and monitor departmental performance metrics, evaluate results, and address opportunities to improve operational effectiveness
• Review departmental budgets and capital improvement plans and activities
• Foster a culture of cross-departmental collaboration to align goals and strategies
• Ensure facility compliance with customer requirements and applicable safety, OSHA, quality, HACCP, and GMP standards
• Lead and contribute to all visits and audits. Leading all relative corrective actions found and documented during the audit.
• Promote a culture of equipment reliability, asset ownership, autonomy, and accountability
• Manage departmental budgets and control manufacturing costs across assigned areas
• Ensure compliance with established Blommer policies and procedures
• Model Blommer’s core values by treating others with respect and care

Note: The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position

Physical Requirements:

• General office environment with majority of time using the computer
• Regular exposure to plant floor, including noise, dust and variation in temperature (hot/cold)

Safety, Quality and Hygiene Requirements:

• Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures and code of conduct
• Comply with workplace uniform requirements and safety gear, when on the plant floor v. office

Performance Expectations:

• Manage product operation with a high set of standards to produce consistent, quality-driven results
• Ensures work hours and schedules, timely attendance, and notice requirements for absences or lateness are met
• Promote a positive attitude and a sense of curiosity in learning new roles and responsibilities
• Instill a culture of leadership and engagement of team to achieve performance expectations

Skills and Work Experience Requirements:

• Seven (7+) years’ experience in manufacturing as department leader with supervisory direct report, preferably within the food ingredient industry.
• Experience in: Project management, Analytical and leadership skills, General manufacturing concepts, Advanced/ specialized manufacturing skills, Development of short and long-range goals/planning, and Development and analysis of budgets
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interface and communicate verbally or in writing with personnel at all levels within the company or externally
• Ability to establish and build trusting relationships
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Prioritize and assess risk to the business and adapt to rapidly changing situations
• Expected to identify, communicate/escalate and problem-solve as issues arise
• Understands financial and budgetary requirements
• Systematic inventory management knowledge, working with ERP system; SAP preferred
• Knowledge and application of lean tools, statistical tools, root cause analysis, and data analysis

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field; business emphasis preferred
• Employees are encouraged to express interest in internal career opportunities throughout Blommer
• Expectations for promotion or job role change are driven by proficiency and performance in current role
• Career progression would align to operations and plant leadership roles within Blommer

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at the time of posting is below. The base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. The actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, education, certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance).

Salary Range: $130K-160K

Benefits: Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind we offer a generous benefits package.

• Health, Dental & Vision- eligibility begins day 1 of hire!
• 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday

Blommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.