Position Summary:
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 Production Director based in our Mount Crawford, Virginia beverage manufacturing facility.  The Production Director will oversee the manufacturing operations at this extra-large beverage manufacturing facility.  This role partners closely with the Sr. Plant Director to oversee all daily production activities, directly manage business unit leaders and drive strategic initiatives, while also fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety. This role is responsible for ensuring customer orders are produced timely in a cost-effective manner with safety and quality as top priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead short- and medium-term production strategies to optimize labor, materials, and workflows.
• Drive accountability and cultural change through Danone’s Integrated Work Systems (IWS).
• Monitor and improve SQCDMN metrics (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature).
• Provide administrative direction across departments including Production, Packaging, Processing, Planning, and Purchasing.
• Manage operational budgets, cost controls, and profit/loss statements.
• Partner with HR in a union environment on hiring, performance, and employee relations.
• Oversee capital project planning and execution.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, FDA, safety, and food quality standards.
• Foster a collaborative, ethical, and high-performance culture across teams.

Physical Demands:

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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear.  Occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Willing to work off shift on a regular basis to support IWS coaching and team development.
• Be available nights and weekends for remote support of plant operations. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.  The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant.  The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems (IWS)
Ensure adherence to plant standards (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, Daily Direction Setting, Driving Operational Efficiency). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of related integrated work systems and corresponding pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving Operational Efficiency; 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.  

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.