Production Manager

Division Information

The Pet Care business unit of Spectrum Brands is based in St. Louis, Missouri with distribution, manufacturing and sales offices throughout the US and globe. Owners of dogs, cats, birds, small animals, fish and reptiles rely on our brands for exceptional value and trusted results. Our industry-leading brands include Tetra, Instant Ocean, Marineland, 8-in-1, Dingo, FURminator, Nature's Miracle, GloFish, DreamBone and SmartBones.

Job Summary

Manages production and packaging activities to achieve the safety, quality, customer service, and costs goals for the Bridgeton Manufacturing operations. This position plays a key role in a customer driven manufacturing function charged with continuously improving all aspects of plant performance and development of direct reports.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Understand, demonstrate, and enforce safe work practices at all times. Must stay focused on maintaining a safe work environment.

• Responsible for maintaining high levels of good housekeeping practices to promote a safe and efficient work environment.

• Manage the manufacturing functions in the plant to ensure on-time production of conforming products and materials.

• Lead and direct employees on efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Lead LEAN Manufacturing and 5S activities for the manufacturing unit.

• Ensure that high levels of quality are maintained to eliminate sub-standard products and rework.

• Interpret specifications and job orders to production workers and assign duties.

• Recommend & implement measures to improve production methods, equipment performance, and quality of product.

• Analyze and resolve work problems, and/or assist workers in solving work problems.

• Maintain time and production records.

• Utilize production data gathering systems to track performance to standard.

• Utilize SAP to track production output and inventory levels.

• Responsible for developing and delivering cost improvements in line with overall Spectrum financial goals.

• Manage financial performance to budget and expected goals.

• Enforce work rules and performance standards for all hourly Production employees. Determine appropriate rewards/penalties for achievements and non-compliance.

• Responsible for developing manufacturing capital projects and justifications that support long-term, low-cost operations.

• Develop and oversee staffing plans for utilization of temporary and regular employees to minimize overall costs and ensure safety and quality standards are met.

• Provide leadership development and support for the Manufacturing Team.

• Establish development plans for all direct reports for the purpose of preparing them to achieve higher levels of influence within the Company.

• Maintain a favorable employee relations environment through active employee appreciation initiatives.

• Identify training needs and assist in the implementation of training programs.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Profile

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a contract packaging environment or related production manufacturing field.

• Must have seven years or more of experience in a production management or supervisory role.

• Experience working with a temporary workforce.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Required Skills

• Superb people skills (coaching/counseling, motivation, performance, employee relations, etc.) at hourly and staff levels.

• Excellent planning and organizational skills.

• Team building skills - both inter and intra department.

• Exceptional analytical, root-cause-analysis, and decision-making abilities.

• Effective written and verbal communication/presentation skills.

• Computer skills including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with SAP preferred.

• Experience with continuous packaging equipment application/design, process development, and continuous improvement techniques.

• Proven understanding of maintenance systems, Lean Manufacturing, and 5S methodologies.

• Creative, highly motivated, and self-starting.

• Relentless in:

• Customer focus

• Desire to be a low-cost producer

• Searching for innovative ways to do business

• Drive to build a strong team environment

• Developer of People

Work Environment

• Working conditions are 50% Office and 50% Manufacturing environment

Spectrum Brands - Bridgeton manufacturing facility recognizes that a successful food safety culture can be achieved only by following safe working practices and procedures developed through effective hazard analysis, training, and experience. In order to achieve these aims, a robust Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points System (HACCP) has been introduced following a full hazard analysis of all food related operations. All instructions and control mechanisms within HACCP are designed to control any risk to food safety. Achievement of this policy involves all staff being individually responsible for the quality of their work. The result will be a culture of continual improvement and an improved working environment for all. All employees are provided with the food safety training necessary to enable them to perform their tasks and are responsible for ensuring that they do so in a hygienic manner so that the safety of our product is not put at risk. All employees are required to co-operate with any authorized person to ensure that all policies, procedures, and work instructions are properly complied with.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job/classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Spectrum Brands is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

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