Associate Manager, Production & Training

Location: Hershey, PA

Department: Technical Center / Semi-Works

Summary of Role:

The Associate Manager, Production & Training is responsible for production planning and execution at the Tech Center and Semiworks. Working with internal teams to ensure proper resourcing, allergen segregation and work with all parties involved to ensure the timelines are met.

This role will be responsible for developing and implementing an equipment training program for the Tech Center. Overseeing building operations within the Semi-Works facility (York, Pa) and manufacturing operations at the Tech Center (Hershey, Pa), including but not limited to the following tasks.

• Oversee production and project activities.
• Overseeing the annual Semi-Works budget preparation, directs the implementation, and maintains budget control over building finances.
• Lead procurement efforts for ingredients and production supplies as needed for each individual project.
• Manage working inventories of supplies and ingredients to ensure on-time production.
• Ensure product distribution through channels are on time and within budget.
• Responsible for ensuring a culture that places a high value on employee safety and food safety to comply with all OSHA and FDA regulations.
• Coordinate production planning at both facilities to ensure compliance with working location will be dependent on the innovation strategy of the individual projects.   

Role Responsibilities:

Pilot Plant Production Support

• Support production planning efforts for the Pilot Plant to manage allergens and ensure timelines are met. This will also include attending and facilitating production meetings with R&D and Engineering to review the production requirements.
• Direct and manage the activities of the Hershey and continuous part time (CPT) labor force for all manufacturing operations in the Pilot Plant.
• Assist R&D and Engineering in the procurement of ingredients for sales sample runs and work with Dock and Warehouse Operations to ensure the integrity of the ingredients for the production.

Training Program Coordinator

• Develop a diverse training team
• Identify training needs through a collaboration with plant and departmental leadership, as well as designing and delivering training plans and programs, while evaluating their effectiveness.
• Coordination with equipment vendors, contracted and internal subject matter experts to schedule and expedite ALL training at the Technical Center.
• Direct structured learning experiences and monitor their quality results.
• Training Videos, including the recording, editing, and publishing of media
• Assist with onboarding, including acclimating new hires to the business and conduct orientation sessions.
• Build annual training plans, as needed.

Semi-Work Production Oversight

Production Supervision & Operational Support:

• Ensure proper segregation of materials is met for any allergen/process requirements.
• Ensure compliance with established standards in the areas of food quality & safety and employee safety. Identify and implement opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate labor staffing daily in coherence with budgeted staffing.  
• Ensure an appropriate supply of misc. production supplies.
• Provide knowledge of all operations within the facility to be able to provide troubleshooting assistance as needed during production runs.
• Responsible for addressing facility issues/requirements/changes as they arise by communicating them with on-site contractor and/or Ops Lead.
• Support shipping and delivery of materials to support the operations.

Inventory Management:

• Responsible for daily inventory checks and adjustments for all raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and general factory supplies.
• Responsible for maintaining appropriate material levels within the plant based on available space.
• Communicate production reporting to Ops Lead for entry into SAP
• Coordinate Shipping and BOL creations for finished product. 

Direct and manage activities of contingent workforce personnel as it relates to production needs:

• Work with temp supervisor to determine the number of staff needed per project.
• Schedule contingent workforce, including planning for breaks
• Ensure the entire workforce is adhering to safety, GMP, and SOP requirements.
• Manage activities to ensure all testing and production requirements are met per project need.
• Ensure a safe working environment for all contingent workforce.
• Approve contingent worked hours.

Safety Coordinator: 

• Provide safety and environmental support to the Plant Manager; this includes enforcing safety programs, creating job safety analysis for equipment and processes, providing safety training, accident prevention, accident investigation, and OSHA regulatory reporting for both facilities. This position also supports all chemical management for the building, including storage, handling, reporting, and disposal.

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of employee safety, OSHA regulations, sanitation, GMP and QA guidelines and policies.
• Knowledge of products and processes associated with food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of equipment setup and operations.
• Knowledge in general mechanical understanding.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Computer skills, including ability to use databases, SAP, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Software.
• Licensed power industrial truck (including forklift, personal scissors lift, pallet lift and delivery truck) operator and trainer.
• Ability to plan, communicate, and perform with minimal managerial oversight.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and 100 lbs. with help, bend, stoop, and kneel in the process of performing all job responsibilities.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Education –
  • Associate’s degree in Business Administration and/or equivalent experience is required.
• Experience –
  • At least 5-7 years of experience in a related field of work is desired.
  • Experience in food processing, consumer goods, or manufacturing environment is preferred.

#LI-TL1

#LI-Hybrid