Process Optimization Manager

Serves as a SME by developing and maintaining up to date knowledge of products, processes, technologies and manufacturing operations.

The Process Optimization Manager maintains a strong cooperative working relationship with Marketing, Procurement, Quality and Regulatory Compliance, Legal, R&D, Manufacturing, and Operations Business Units.

• Lead/support projects to deliver cost savings with a focus on process, specification optimization, formulas, and operations technology.

• Participate in multi-discipline teams such as special initiative teams or other as assigned.

• Leverage collaborative relationships across multiple internal groups to identify and develop opportunities.

• Perform initial assessments to determine value and feasibility and estimate capital requirement where appropriate.

• Develop relationships with external suppliers, consultants, and professional organizations to enable discovery and application of new or emerging technologies

• Facilitate cross-functional project groups including Quality, Corporate Engineering, Supply Chain, & R&D to develop and implement process improvements resulting in increased capacity, productivity and throughput increases and cost reduction.

• Analyze production and operating data to develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives, tools and processes.

• Utilize engineering principles to identify, analyze, and design cost effective food processing technology and improve the current manufacturing systems with operations.

• Implement manufacturing process improvements through creative machine tooling and fixture design using internal and external resources.

• Mentor, influence and coach plant leaders and project teams on best manufacturing methods.

• Organizes, generates relevant data and prepare project scopes, cost estimates, assist in preparation of capital project requests as needed to obtain management approval.

• Ensures smooth transfer of products across HLF’s internal (owned) and external (co-pack) network of manufacturing sites.

Qualifications

• Degreed engineer (mechanical, process, or industrial) with 8-10 years prior experience in frozen food manufacturing environments or 15+ years of related experience in lieu of degree.

• Practical experience with implementation and sustaining of continuous improvement programs (i.e. LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical process control, etc.).

• Skill and experience in yield optimization & cost reduction, production efficiencies & quality improvements.

• Process engineering approaches including mass balance, process cycle time, capability analysis, design of experiment, etc.

• Possess strong analytical skills to interpret data to make decisions.

• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel. Above average skills using Excel.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing cost calculations, gathering production information, and production scheduling.

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication.

• Approximate travel requirements are 25%.

Working conditions

Office Environment:
The noise level in the office work environment is moderately quiet.

Plant Environment:
The plant work environment will expose the employee to loud noise, food grade dust & odors, moving & vibrating machinery, heavy equipment, powered industrial trucks, heights, traffic, anhydrous ammonia, oil and electricity. The employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions including extreme cold, heat, rain, snow, dust, smoke and odors. Flexibility of work hours. Ability to work on feet for extended periods of time if needed.

Physical requirements/Allergens

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, listen, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to use hands to handle, operate, and feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to operate a motor vehicle to travel to off-site meetings. The employee must have visual acuity sufficient to operate a motor vehicle and digital camera, as well as other office and position equipment. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to hear and speak clearly in order to communicate with clients, coworkers, employees and vendors.

Travel

Travel to High Liner Foods offices and plants within North America may be required.

Direct reports

None

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.