Plant Manager - NRO

The ASR Group family of companies make up the world's largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group portfolio includes the leading brands Domino, C&H, Florida Crystals, Redpath, Tate & Lyle, Lyle's, Sidul and Whitworths. ASR Group companies also produce and market Tellus, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane.

Overview

The ASR Group Chicago plant is a sugar melt & packaging operation, producing a variety of sugar products for customers. The Calumet facility is blending and packing molasses products for further industrial application. We are looking for a Plant Manager to join our team who is a hands-on leader with excellent problem-solving skills and a drive for improvement and success.

This position is accountable for managing the overall results of the Chicago and Calumet facilities to ensure safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing operations and support functions required to meet the business objectives and the expectations of our customers.

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities

• Oversees and champions an effective safety program to achieve zero injuries and continuous improvement to both physical safety issues and employee safety attitudes and behaviors
• Promotes a high level of quality and ensures adherence to all Food Safety Standards, requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Directs, plans and organizes all manufacturing operations including packaging, maintenance, utilities, engineering and quality.
• Ensures that the productivity and efficiency performance required to meet the key results and objectives of the business are achieved with the highest service standards that will exceed our customer's expectations.
• Ensures that the site operates within all environmental standards and requirements at all times. Maintains positive dealings with all regulatory agencies.
• Implements manufacturing strategies and plans to ensure that the plant supports Redpath and ASR strategic initiatives. Identifies and recommends opportunities to develop and execute the capital improvement plan to support growth of the business.
• Establishes group and individual accountabilities in all departments for problem solving, cost reduction, and continuous improvement. Ensures focus on problem-solving and use of new technologies.
• Improves utilization of manpower in all areas and improves levels of training, knowledge, and skills within the operations group at all levels.
• Develops and oversees operating budgets. Manages spending against budget and implement strategies to improve costs.
• Maintains positive and productive employee relations by promoting constructive and collaborative relations with all employees.
• Establishes practices throughout the organization to foster positive involvement by all employees with opportunity for input and action.
• Manages community relations and deals with city, municipal and government initiatives that will have impact on the site.
• Supports new product development and sales initiatives.
• Work effectively and ensure that food safety, authenticity, legality, and quality are maintained.
• Report any risks or any evidence of unsafe or out-of-specification product, equipment, packaging or raw materials, to a designated manager to enable the resolution of issues requiring immediate action.

Education and/or Experience

WORK EXPERIENCES

• Minimum of 5 to 10 years' experience in food manufacturing or processing industry
• 3 to 5 years' experience in a management role overseeing multiple functions and disciplines
• Previous project management and / or project execution experience is expected.
• Strong technical knowledge of packaging and food processing systems
• Demonstrated experience managing and implementing Continuous improvement projects
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with abilities to lead, motivate and develop people
• Strong planning, analytical and organizational skills

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• University degree in engineering, operations management or business preferred

Essential Capabilities / Competencies

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Responsible for overall direction and supervision of a 20 plus person workforce across two facilities.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Strong leadership, organizational and communication skills in a cross-functional role.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship skills focusing on teamwork and collaboration within all levels of the business.
• Highly analytical yet comfortable using judgment to drive recommendations and decisions with imperfect information.
• Proficiency with MS Office a must. Experience with SAP a plus.

Location of Role

LOCATION OF ROLE

Chicago, IL

This developmental role is part of a rotational program designed to build multi-site leadership capabilities and prepare the successful candidate to advance from smaller operations to a larger, more complex role within the ASR network at a refinery in Crockett, CA; New Orleans, LA; or Baltimore, MD.

Pay Range: $119,000 - $221,000

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago