About the Job:

At Danone, manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams.

The Line Leader is responsible for the line results & capability development of the line team. The role of the Line Leader is to lead the Line Trio and Line Team to deliver safety, quality, cost and production objectives.

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 Line Leader based in Mt. Crawford, Virginia!  

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:

• Provides leadership to the Line Team (frontline workers) and Line Trio (Line Leader, Process Engineer, and Maintenance Leader) through clear priorities and direction
• Develops Annual and 90-Day action plans for the line(s)
• Ensures line staffing is adequate and available
• Drives accountability within the team and self to implement and follow Danone Integrated Work Systems (IWS) principles
• Provides training on key Daily Management Systems (DMS) to technicians, including evaluation and qualification
• Support supply chain loss analysis/elimination
• Drive cultural change by leading the organization engagement surveys results
• Implements and follows all safety procedures as stated in safety standards, and code of ethics
• Ensures all safety rules, plant rules, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and code of ethics are followed by employees, supervisors, customers, and visitors at all times
• Trains, coaches, and gives timely performance appraisals to employees
• Able to back-up or represent the Business Unit Manager as required
• Collaborate with Process Engineer and Maintenance Leader to develop and maintain standards
• Use data to identify process losses
• Work with line management to prioritize improvement opportunities
• Eliminate or reduce prioritized losses through process or work system changes
• Lead the Daily Direction Setting (DDS) process
• Own critical daily management systems
• Standardize equipment and work processes.  Update process control strategies and operating procedures as changes occur
• Share and reapply learning across processes, modules, and plants
• Prepare and give training on process/equipment changes
• Develop self through participating in corporate and external training
• Spend 60-80% of time on the floor
• Demonstrate technical expertise for a designated process
• Coach and collaborate with the line teams, site and regional equipment or process owners related operations/process fields
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Delivers on SQCDMN daily/weekly/monthly/yearly goals and objectives through individual and team efforts
• Ensures adherence to safety standards and regulations (WISE) to ensure a safe working environment
• Trains, develop and coach all front-line workers on production line. 
• Supervise union/non-union employees in the production area and composite closures, ensuring product quality, food safety, safety compliance, awareness, and teamwork.
• Provides leadership in hiring and disciplinary recommendations.
• Monitors and reviews the performance and timekeeping of employees. Initiates corrective disciplinary actions as necessary on a timely basis and in accordance with company and CBA policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands: 

• 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.

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.
• Work is performed throughout the facility. Potential hazards include proximity of moving machinery, chemical exposure, noise, and heavy lifting. The position may require an individual to stand, stoop, move equipment; bend, reach, or lift for prolonged periods of time. Personal protective equipment includes safety glasses, hearing protection and slip resistant steel toed shoes.

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.    

For Salaried roles: 

The salary range for this position is:   $90-$116KK per year.  The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, internal equity, and market conditions.  Danone U.S. 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:

Education & Experience:

• 4-year engineering degree or equivalent preferred
• High School/GED required 
• 3 plus years’ manufacturing experience with demonstrated technical aptitude and leadership preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Fundamental skills in influencing and persuasion
• Strong interpersonal skills associated with developing trusting relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP
• Ability to work in a fluid environment
• Ability to identify problems, draw conclusions, and make recommended solutions
• Ability to be self-directed with little supervision
• Ability to adjust schedule to support 24/7 Manufacturing Operation, may include working overtime, graveyard shift and/or weekends as needed

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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