At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams.   We are currently looking to hire a Processing Unit Leader based in Fort Worth, Texas!  

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This role will be responsible for managing a 24/7 operations team of processing technicians operating all Processing equipment including all processors, batch rooms as well as receiving bay for inbound truck volume. The primary purpose of Business Units is to ensure that products are produced in line with safety, quality and consumer requirements. Incumbents are responsible for ensuring that daily, weekly, and monthly production KPIs are met for People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Growth. This is a complex, fast paced production setting.

Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

• Train, coach, mentor, and provide feedback/recognition to associates
• Ensure that set standards are always adhered to regarding Safety and Quality
• Responsible for monitoring the performance and corrective actions for the Business Unit, ensuring that information boards are continually updated with daily, weekly and monthly information
• Review long-term data trends and facilitate remedial activities using CI methodologies to determine root cause and fix
• Ensure that Safety, Quality and 5S auditing and corrective measures are complete for all areas within the Business Unit
• Utilize IWS Tools for problem solving
• Develop detailed manpower and material resourcing plans to ensure that bottlenecks are removed and all delivery commitments are met on time and in full
• Lead / facilitate / participate in continuous improvement events
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, keeping teams updated regarding issues affecting performance and seeking guidance where needed
• Lead the team and manage any employee relation matters, with guidance sought from HR
• Ensure appropriate knowledge of facility and industry related regulations, support and deploy all plant initiatives such as: MOS (management operating system), TPM (total productive maintenance), Maintenance Excellence, SQF (safe quality foods), etc.
• Maintain audit ready status
• Own respective QMS standard and execute all processes, including all documentation specification requirements.
• Ability to adjust schedule to support 24/7 Manufacturing Operation, may include working overtime, graveyard shift and/or weekends as needed.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to walkthrough and move throughout all areas of the facility.
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ability to respond to audible and visual alarms in the facility.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in written form with clarity and effectiveness.
• Ability to distinguish colors accurately for quality and safety purposes.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
• Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate. 

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.    

Compensation & Benefits:

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.    

 Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.  

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we’re looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Candidate Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of education and experience preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent GED required.
• Five to ten years’ related experience and/or training required.
• Food processing experience is preferred
• Pasteurization knowledge and UHT or HTST a plus
• Combination of education, experience or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required is acceptable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, effective teams

• Ability to mentor and develop productive staff
• Basic understanding of budgeting and cost control
• Ability to work with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Ability to prioritize plant operations in light of multiple priorities and conflicting demands.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Engaged leadership style that develops leaders and builds strong, trusting relationships.
• Team players with the ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Strong knowledge of safety policies and procedures; consistently models and follows all safety rules, plant rules, GMP, and code of ethics.

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free,  STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®. 

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. 

You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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