Job Abstract

ABOUT THE JOB:

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 Senior Plant Director based in our City of Industry, California beverage manufacturing plant!  In this role, you will be responsible to set the factory direction to deliver business needs and priorities. You will deliver the results to drive factory competitiveness through superior products at the right cost and on time. You will lead operationally and develop the teams on both functional & managerial skills to create high performing teams and will contribute to Danone’s corporate image by establishing the right culture within the facility, relationships with the local community and unions representatives.  This is a unionized plant, with approximately 325 associates and 10 production lines with 10 direct / indirect senior staff reports.  This role reports directly into the VP of Manufacturing.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Set the Factory Strategy and Master Plan required to deliver business, manufacturing and people priorities, in conjunction with Danone’s growth and improvement strategies. This includes developing long and short-term performance metrics.
• Lead the factory organization to be a highly reliable, responsive, and competitive operation.
• Establish a zero-risk operating culture delivering a safe environment for anyone working in the factory (Danoners and Contractors)
• Accelerate performance rate of improvement, improving KPI's.
• Build productivity pipeline to secure cost reduction (Plant and COGS)
• Drive IWS implementation to achieve manufacturing & supply chain best practices and standards.
• Drive connectivity, networking, and benchmarking both internally and externally.
• Secure product superiority through minimized product variability and spec consistency, developing and driving strategic and operational plans to support new product / existing product development.
• Strengthen the factory organization through all Danoners.
• Drive organizational development, high performing teams through structure and proximity leadership.
• Develop internal, talented leaders who can further grow within Danone (First Line Leaders and Plant Leadership Team members).
• Strengthen the factory contribution to business innovation pipeline.
• Drive growth and change in a fast-moving, high-energy environment.
• Be a visible and active leader, promotes a favorable and productive culture for all associates.
• Build relationships and set long-term action steps with local community and other representatives protecting both site reputation and competitiveness.
• Develop and maintain positive community relations related to all aspects of plant interactions: wastewater treatment/ utilities interactions, noise abatement, employment, expansion planning, etc.
• Maintain lines of communication to all associates on company policy, suggestions, concerns, complaints, and other issues defined by the company. Implement necessary programs and procedures to promote and ensure open communication.
• Support and ensure compliance of the facility with all Environmental, Health and Safety programs, policies, regulations and with beverage safety, quality, and reliability conditions.
• Ensure the highest level of commitment to quality to provide assurance all products are produced, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards.
• Measure, track and maintain the controls and reports necessary to evaluate plant costs, quality and service level necessary for more efficient and effective operations.
• Develop and maintain a strong local talent pipeline and prepare succession planning for all positions.
• Promote and ensure positive associate and union relations.
• Promote a one-team approach with sales and marketing. This includes but is not limited to sales and customer visits, attending industry conferences, additional meetings and conference calls.

The base compensation range for this position is $200K - $265K per year commensurate with experience. 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.

ABOUT YOU:

• You have a bachelor's degree in business, engineering or a related field and have 15 plus years of leadership experience within a lean manufacturing environment, required.  Experience with TPM and within CPG food manufacturing is a plus.  Local experience is preferred.  Exposure to union in the United States is required. 
• You have experience as a change agent, are open to new ideas, and are willing to challenge the status quo and also have strong influential skills with the ability to interact successfully with all levels of the organization.
• You have experience in managing numerous direct reports and matrix reporting and have experience with budget and cost management. 
• You have excellent project management experience and have ability to drive change with a positive attitude and positive influencing style.
• You have strong problem-solving fundamentals; ability to make decisions with limited information and to handle uncertainty and change.
• You are process-oriented; able to identify process improvements and implement change successfully.
• You have the ability to support and lead a 24/7 production environment.  Work schedules could include day or night shift schedules and weekends as business needs dictate.