The Ops Excellence team at Home Chef is a small but growing group of talented individuals that tackle some of our biggest challenges in operations. Sometimes referred to as Home Chef’s operations “SWAT” team, we work on cross-functional initiatives that help to define the future state of the operations organization. Our projects evolve based on the needs of the business – no two days are the same – but we’re always focused on execution and driving towards positive impact. We pride ourselves on being great problem solvers, thought partners, and go-getters.

Detailed Responsibilities:

• The Operational Excellence Manager will be expected to wear several hats and will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Although different projects will require different skillsets, the high-level responsibilities and expectations for this role are outlined below

Process Improvement:

• Become an expert on Home Chef’s operations from start to finish and identify areas for where Home Chef can streamline operations, reduce costs, or deploy new technologies
• Collaborate cross-functionally to implement initiatives with Operations Technology, Food Safety & Quality, Procurement, Warehouse, Data, HR, and most importantly, Plant Fulfillment & Continuous Improvement
• Examples of past projects include: developing Home Chef’s SOP library and performing time studies to establish efficiency standards

Tool Development & Tech Enablement

• Partner with our plant teams to develop, manage, and continually improve tools used on the floor at our production facilities
• Understand challenges in the current technology landscape and work with production management and front-line employees to develop potential solutions
• Examples of past projects include: developing an in-house “MRP” system to track WIP inventory levels, originally in Google Apps & “hardened” through tech development & support

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• Find innovative ways to make data actionable for our production teams - build new processes to better collect, store, and visualize operational data in a meaningful and impactful way
• Enable data-driven decision making by reporting on core KPIs and performing ad-hoc analyses=
• Examples of past projects include: revamping our Quality & Error reporting and processes to be more actionable, and preventative as opposed to reactive

Training & People Support:

• Ensure process changes “stick” by developing training programs and initiatives
• Partner with our HR teams to establish plant-focused programs related to performance management, professional development, and employee recognition & retention
• Examples of past projects include: developing and implementing Associate, Lead, & Supervisor training & onboarding programs

Workplanning & Project Management:

• Work independently to develop project plans and timelines to drive progress forward, while working with multiple cross-functional stakeholders

People Management

• The Ops Excellence Manager will likely start out as an individual contributor, but will be expected to take on 1-3 direct reports in the near future.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or other characteristics needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Entrepreneurial mindset: energetic and able to lead change, create vision, and inspire people to achieve goals, in a fast-paced environment
• Problem solver: Identify issues quickly and bring recommended solutions backed by logic to the discussion
• Interpersonal savvy: Develop rapport across the organization in order to build consensus for implementing new processes and tools
• Results oriented: Deal with ambiguity and make timely decisions to get to impact quickly
• Attention to detail: Organizational skills and ability to manage details of complex systems and operational processes
• Embody the Home Chef core values of customer first, pursuing excellence, taking ownership, and building a best-in-class team
• 2+ years of experience in operations, management consulting, venture capital, or equivalent; top ranked candidates with managerial experience strongly preferred
• Technical ability: While experience using data analysis programs (e.g. Excel and Google Business Apps) are a must, experience using SQL, Python, and/or JavaScript highly desired
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment. Travel to our production facilities in Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles will be required as part of this position (up to ~33% travel)
• Must be able and willing to work in refrigerated coolers (~38 degrees F) and a traditional office environment
• Bending, standing, lifting, carrying, etc are occasionally required

Education

• Completion of a four-year degree program in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Computer Science, Information Systems, Statistics, or other relevant area of study is preferred

Perks/Benefits:

-Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first 

 order!

-Direct access to senior management – our leadership team works alongside our team members every day

-Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

-Generous paid time off (PTO) policy

-401k program

-Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

-Free water taxi, discounted gym membership, and daily bike storage for Wrigley building employees

-Cold brew coffee on tap at no charge

-Employee discounts for Home Chef meal kits

-Free lunch every Friday and snacks and beverages on hand every day

-Casual dress

Home Chef is an equal employment opportunity employer