Director of Plant Operations

Company Information  

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else -- delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result. 

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers. 

Job Summary 

At Richelieu Foods we are making Great Food from Great People. We are looking for an experienced Director of Plant Operations who is comfortable driving transformation while reinforcing a culture of support and development. The Director of Plant Operations will report directly to the Senior Director of Operations with significant exposure to the Richelieu Senior Leadership Team. The Director of Plant Operations will lead the manufacturing operations for the facility, producing quality products in a people and food-safe manner, at or below budgeted cost. The position will be responsible for ensuring plant operations follow all regulatory, quality and safety standards. This role will be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, striving to deliver zero loss and 100% employee engagement in support of Richelieu’s integrated manufacturing strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Create a high-performance operations team by recruiting and developing teams with an appropriate mix of experience, capabilities, and skills to consistently meet company goals and departmental initiatives in the most cost-effective manner. Ensure effective succession planning for all pivotal positions.
• Create and efficiently manage four key divisions of operations: 1) Manufacturing 2) Maintenance 3) Materials and 4) Operational excellence. Understand the financial impacts of various sourcing, labor, materials and overhead strategies on the business and act accordingly to maximize returns. 
• Support new projects for the business, engaging suppliers to help the team understand any costs and design implication. Ability to engage and collaborate cross-functionally to facilitate commercialization of new products and partnering closely with the leadership team to support the broader activities and initiatives.
• Manage KPI's to include (but not limited to): Safety, Quality, People, Service, and Cost
• Manage technology and process improvement projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations function.
• Plan, organize and direct the manufacturing operations ensuring the plant meets the daily production schedule, producing products that meet or exceed established standards.
• Establish and communicate clear metric targets and results. Develop and execute plans that drive improved operational performance.
• Participate in the development, implementation & evaluation of business goals that deliver strategic business objectives.
• Develop and execute job training programs that build the capability of the factory and leadership team members, including skill-based pay for the factory team and succession planning for the leadership team.
• Teach and deploy lean six-sigma tools such as daily direction setting, 5S, equipment center lining, defect handling and root cause failure analysis that drive towards zero loss and 100% employee engagement.
• Manage budget and cost controls considering changes in demand (volume), business seasonality and required service levels.
• Identify manufacturing cost drivers and proactively adjust manpower and department expenses to achieve budget commitments.
• Daily focus on yields with a particular focus on raw and pack materials. Actively participate in the KPI calls to report on results and improvement plans.
• Ensure the plant meets OSHA requirements and continually improve safety record by addressing both physical safety issues as well as employee safety attitudes. Cultivate a safety culture. Ensure compliance with all food regulatory requirements and adherence to food safety and GMP's.
• Maintain superior scores on all SQF or other third-party audits (customer driven).
• Ensure all products meet product specifications and consumer / customer complaints are fully investigated and addressed.
• Participate in the development of the strategic plan for the factory including the development of the annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts.
• Inspire the team and be the voice of the company’s core values, to motivate and capture personal commitment in creating a pathway to both their individual and our collective long-term success and growth.
• Develop a strong discipline of role clarity and hold self and team members accountable for performance and collaboration with the whole enterprise establishing and maintaining an inclusive and diverse culture that provides a positive employee experience and ensuring proactive performance management based on feedback, coaching and mentoring.

Required Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive operations experience in a high volume, high growth, food manufacturing environment
• 5+ years of management experience
• Formal training in all aspects of SQF, Food Safety & Quality, FDA’s FSMA program, including Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Plant Sanitation, FDA Regulations and AIB.

Preferred Qualifications  

• USDA Experience preferred.

Essential Skills and Abilities 

• Superior analytical skills to anticipate manufacturing requirements and develop contingency plans that eliminate or reduce disruption to operations.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to deliver to deadlines with strong follow-up skills, problem resolution, and strategic thinking.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (written and verbal) and the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with highly effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicting interests and obtain cooperation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond to changing situations despite deadlines and pressure.
• Strong Food and Safety knowledge including legal compliance of federal, state and local food and safety laws and regulations.
• Excellent Team-building skills and possess the ability to gain consensus and deliver results with and through people.
• Ability to provide clear direction.

Working Conditions 

• On-Site: This role requires 100% onsite attendance to perform the essential functions of the role   

Pay and Benefits 

The following information is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Compensation is based on experience, geographic locations, and other legally permitted factors. The expected compensation range for this role is $170,000 and $200,000. This role is also eligible for an annual incentive plan bonus.  

Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance; pre-tax spending accounts; 401K with company match; paid time off; short-term and long-term disability; and life insurance. 

Disclosures 

This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended only to be a general description of the essential functions common to positions of this type.   

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.