Senior Site Director, Food Manufacturing

Job Location: DeKalb Want to make an impact?

The Senior Site Director is a hands-on leadership position that manages our DeKalb, IL, operation with overall responsibilities for team, production, maintenance, facilities, and safety.

The Senior Site Director is a critical component of the leadership team, ensuring that our plant operations efficiently deliver safe, high-quality products.

The Senior Site Director is a proven leader, team player, and is focused on people development, safety, quality, efficiencies, TPM methodologies, Lean mindset, and delivers solid financial performance for the facility.

This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the operations professional who understands that in this role 95%+ of the plant team reports indirectly up to this leader and that they will ultimately be responsible for total factory performance.

Ways you will make a difference * Manage facility production, packaging, and storage of quality food products including food safety, quality, employee and asset safety, and operational efficiencies * Directly manage and develop Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation Managers, providing developmental, coaching, and mentoring opportunities * Partner with and work closely with Human Resources Manager, Safety Manager, Director of Cost Accounting, R&D, and Engineering * When appropriate act as a Change Agent, promoting the Ferrara vision, operating principles, and drive the path to manufacturing and team excellence * Be a leader for plant team and cross functionally with other Senior Site Directors and Leaders to share best practices * Drive adherence of all safety guidelines and always work tirelessly to provide a safe work environment for all employees * Champion continuous improvement and TPM methodologies along with a Lean mindset across the facility and train/support Managers and Supervisors as necessary * Manage daily and long-term production activities to meet or exceed budgeted production goals and drive optimum equipment efficiency and productivity * Manage the physical facilities, production equipment and all associated maintenance in accordance with best practices and Company policies and procedures * Determines appropriate actions with respect to acting with agility to changing business needs resulting from manpower or material changes and strategically formulate appropriate action plans * Develop and mentor professional growth and advancement of departmental staff * Operations leaders and team should reflect the Ferrara operating principles in all they do * Guide the plant floor data standardization, collection, utilization and management to drive continuous improvement * Assist management and supervisory team in preparation and execution of customer and regulatory audits.

Encourage a plant environment that is always audit ready.

* Implement effective systems and strategies of cost control over capital, operating expenditures, hourly wages, and salaries * Core to this role is the management of scheduling and staffing for the plant to ensure optimal use of personnel while managing overtime costs * Oversee production planning to ensure efficient schedules are delivered that drive lowest cost and met customer demands * Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards including compliance with established HACCP, SQF, and GMP guidelines * Working with maintenance leaders, oversee and maintain preventative maintenance programs and related costs * Incorporate and maximize floor organization and plant cleanliness among plant personnel * Support research and development test runs in the plant along with new customer launches * Oversee inventory readiness including raw materials, packaging and in-process * Working with warehouse and logistics leaders, ensure facility supply chain flow is efficient Skills that will make you successful * Proven leadership abilities in championing continuous improvement, safety, and team building * Strong interpersonal skills (communication, coaching, setting expectations, providing feedback) * Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills * Comprehensive business acumen in managing and improving operations, team performance, communication, and processes * Knowledge of budgeting, procurement, and cost control * Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint * Specific computer skills with SAP, employee timekeeping and maintenance management systems strong preferred Experiences that will support your success * Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate business discipline and 10 plus years of relevant and successful job experience in a food manufacturing environment * Knowledgeable in all aspects of food manufacturing, processing, and warehousing * Strong interest and proven capabilities in taking full accountability for plant performance including management of team, process, reporting, and day-to-day execution of objectives.

* Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace * Demonstrated Continuous Improvement, TPM methodologies, and Lean mindset Ferrara's success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people.

A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.

Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company.

Learn more at or EQUAL OPPORTUNITY We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law.

This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.