Operations Team Manager I

Ajinomotocareers; Carthage, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) in Missouri seeks an operations leader to manage a production line focused on Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency. You will coach the shift team and drive performance improvements.

You will develop production plans, monitor KPIs, and lead continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring GMP/HACCP compliance and alignment with site goals. Strong collaboration and problem-solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in the food industry preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP and HACCP is required.
• Strong cost and quality management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop hourly shift line team to meet safety, quality, cost and efficiency targets.
• Create and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans.
• Coach teams and conduct regular meetings to address challenges.
• Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and company safety policies.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Continuous Improvement

Team Development

Problem Solving

Education

Associate degree

AS in STEM

BS in STEM

Experience in lieu of degree

Tools

TPM

Lean

Six Sigma

Job description

Position Summary

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned production area. Lead and develop the shift line team to achieve and sustain operational excellence through effective coaching, continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to company standards. Build organizational capability to drive and maintain improvements in performance and efficiency.

Position Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

• Lead and motivate the shift line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and goals.
• Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and corporate goals.
• Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
• Provide coaching and feedback for team members to ensure accountability and high performance.

Operations Excellence

• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring line shift operation to standard and quick resolution of any production issues.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and company safety policies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement).

Financial Management

• Develop and manage cost performance for the line.
• Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial targets.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.

Talent & Organizational Development

• Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing hourly team members.
• Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
• Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
• Ensure hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including:
  • o Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis
  • o Centerlines
  • o Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
  • o Autonomous Maintenance
  • o Focused Improvement
  • o Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
  • o STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool.

Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships:

• Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve production challenges.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
• Function as the primary point of contact for production-related issues for the production line, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.
• #INDCAR

Position Qualifications

An equivalent combination of experience and education will also be considered.

Education

• 2 Year / Associate Degree
• Minimum Associate of Science degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Food Science, Technology, Math, etc.) required.
• Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a 4-year STEM degree program.
• Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.

Certifications

• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Multiple examples of successfully delivering performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Multiple examples of building organizational capabilities (team skill proficiency improvements, team promotions)
• Multiple examples of solving issues to root cause and eliminating recurrence.
• Multiple examples of deploying improvement tools and frameworks with measurable outcomes. (TPM, Lean, Six Sigma).

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.