Operations Manager

Blommer has been providing delicious, high-quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939. Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage plant production and related functions while developing functional managers and supervisors through coaching and mentoring
• Lead staff in meeting or exceeding functional goals for quality, productivity, food safety, worker safety, and financial performance, ensuring alignment with operational objectives
• Ensure employees are properly trained in their work activities, establish stretch goals, and support the team’s continued development
• Provide leadership through clear communication, coaching, training, and development
• Conduct, facilitate and participate in site meetings to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and communication across functions and shifts and to promote a shared understanding of key issues, including production, downtime, and scheduled repairs
• Support managers and supervisors in resolving issues proactively and promptly through data analysis, investigation, and discussion
• Ensure compliance with organizational and site policies and procedures related to safety, employee relations, and performance
• Provide leadership and input on plant improvement initiatives to enhance quality, improve timeliness, and minimize costs
• Use the RedZone platform to improve reliability and communication, establish goals and standards, and analyze data to identify improvements and support spending decisions
• Establish and monitor departmental performance metrics, evaluate results, and address opportunities to improve operational effectiveness
• Review departmental budgets and capital improvement plans and activities
• Foster a culture of cross-departmental collaboration to align goals and strategies
• Ensure facility compliance with customer requirements and applicable safety, OSHA, quality, HACCP, and GMP standards
• Lead and contribute to all visits and audits. Leading all relative corrective actions found and documented during the audit.
• Promote a culture of equipment reliability, asset ownership, autonomy, and accountability
• Manage departmental budgets and control manufacturing costs across assigned areas
• Ensure compliance with established Blommer policies and procedures
• Model Blommer’s core values by treating others with respect and care

Note: The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position

Physical Requirements:

• General office environment with majority of time using the computer
• Regular exposure to plant floor, including noise, dust and variation in temperature (hot/cold)

Safety, Quality and Hygiene Requirements:

• Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures and code of conduct
• Comply with workplace uniform requirements and safety gear, when on the plant floor v. office

Performance Expectations:

• Manage product operation with a high set of standards to produce consistent, quality-driven results
• Ensures work hours and schedules, timely attendance, and notice requirements for absences or lateness are met
• Promote a positive attitude and a sense of curiosity in learning new roles and responsibilities
• Instill a culture of leadership and engagement of team to achieve performance expectations

Skills and Work Experience Requirements:

• Seven (7+) years’ experience in manufacturing as department leader with supervisory direct report, preferably within the food ingredient industry.
• Experience in: Project management, Analytical and leadership skills, General manufacturing concepts, Advanced/ specialized manufacturing skills, Development of short and long-range goals/planning, and Development and analysis of budgets
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interface and communicate verbally or in writing with personnel at all levels within the company or externally
• Ability to establish and build trusting relationships
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Prioritize and assess risk to the business and adapt to rapidly changing situations
• Expected to identify, communicate/escalate and problem-solve as issues arise
• Understands financial and budgetary requirements
• Systematic inventory management knowledge, working with ERP system; SAP preferred
• Knowledge and application of lean tools, statistical tools, root cause analysis, and data analysis

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field; business emphasis preferred

Career Progression:

• Employees are encouraged to express interest in internal career opportunities throughout Blommer
• Expectations for promotion or job role change are driven by proficiency and performance in current role
• Career progression would align to operations and plant leadership roles within Blommer

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at the time of posting is below. The base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. The actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, education, certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance).

Salary Range: $130K-160K

Benefits: Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind we offer a generous benefits package.

• Health, Dental & Vision- eligibility begins day 1 of hire!
• 401(K)
• Pet insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday

Blommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Blommer Chocolate Company does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.