Production Optimization Manager

Company: Champion Petfoods
Location: Bowling Green
Posted on: May 1, 2021

Job Description:

Do you love research, pets, and the science behind their food?
We may have the perfect job for you.

Research, innovation, and happy pets too.

We are looking for a Productivity Manager – Research and Innovation to join our team in Auburn, Kentucky. In this position, you will drive optimization and productivity improvement projects related to functions owned by the research and innovation team. Focused on finding opportunities for improving efficiency, reducing unnecessary waste and rework, and working with the formulation team to ensure formulas are performing at their optimal level are critical functions of this role.

In this role you will continually balance opportunity exploration, ensuring we fulfill the promises of our brands and work closely with other Research and Innovation leaders to find and execute on these opportunities. You don't have to have pets to succeed here, but we’re pretty sure you’ll want one!

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Drive identification of productivity opportunities relating to process, product formulation, and ingredients, from a research and innovation perspective.
• Research scope of productivity opportunities while developing a project justification and strategy form. Understand opportunities and the potential magnitude of impact on the organization, pets, consumers, and retailers. Develop full strategy for implementation complete with risk assessments and present to leadership as necessary while securing organizational buy-in.
• Partner with other leaders in Research and Innovation to explore productivity opportunities and identify plans to execute upon project strategies as authorized by senior management.
• Manage all R&I productivity projects from assessment through to final execution, working with other department leaders on the deployment of resources to achieve the project deliverables.
• Document and capture all costs associated with project implementation while ensuring tracking for future cost savings implications. Track and report on productivity project outcomes and ensure full communication to senior management by way of monthly reports on projects and outcomes.
• Ensure project outcomes are communicated and tracked appropriately with partners in finance to ensure benefit can be realized and re-allocated to other business priorities to fuel growth.
• Partner with the Manager of Commercialization to ensure all productivity projects within the kitchen relating to Research and Innovation are active and delivering upon their intended goals.

Background & Experience:

• Food Formulation, Food Science, or Food Engineering background is required. Productivity Project Management experience is a definite asset.
• 5-7 years’ leadership experience working in the pet food or food processing industry, with a strong process awareness and understanding of formulation strategies.
• Well-developed project management skills.
• Strong ability to develop reporting and present to stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with a high degree of resourcefulness, flexibility, and adaptability.
• Strong conflict resolution, people management, and interpersonal skills, with a well-defined sense of diplomacy.

Keeping pets happy and healthy since 1985.

We are Champion Petfoods, a crew of pet enthusiasts looking to better the quality of food for our four-legged friends around the world. With over thirty years of growth in the pet food industry, our ORIJEN and ACANA brands have defined our vision of paving the way for healthier pets and families. If this excites you as much as it does us, then we would love to hear from you!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

Keywords: Champion Petfoods, Bowling Green , Production Optimization Manager, Other , Bowling Green, Kentucky

Click here to apply!

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