Operations Team Manager I

Ajasianfoods; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. in Michigan is seeking a Production Supervisor to lead the shift line and drive safety, quality, cost and efficiency targets. You will coach and develop hourly team members and coordinate daily production plans.

This role requires GMP and HACCP knowledge, 2–4 years of manufacturing leadership, and a STEM-related associate or bachelor’s degree. The position emphasizes continuous improvement, KPI ownership, mentoring staff, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in food industry.
• Minimum Associate degree; STEM field preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop shift line team to meet Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency targets.
• Develop and execute daily/weekly production plans aligned with site goals.
• Coach teams, hold regular meetings, and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste; monitor KPIs.
• Ensure GMP/HACCP adherence and safety policy compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Coaching

Operations excellence

Lean Six Sigma

GMP knowledge

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's in STEM

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.
• #INDOAK

Position Qualifications

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

Education

Education Level Description

• 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 Years of Experience Comments

• 2 to 4 years
• 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.