Sr. Process Specialist

General Purpose:

Conduct analysis of day-to-day performance, coordinate process improvement, and perform causal analysis to build technical and process capability. Work collaboratively with key stakeholders such as engineering, maintenance, FSQ, technical, and R&D to advance productivity, reliability, product functionality, finished goods quality, and value stream efficiencies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in and lead training for supervisors, operators, and support staff on the manufacturing process, control systems, products, and equipment to lift the standard and level of technical understanding of the asset
• Support production management to ensure the department’s activities remain in or exceed the standards and specifications established by quality assurance.
• Manage the health, safety, and well-being of team members. Actively engage in environmental health and safety (EHS) through identification and mitigation of hazards.
• Ensure timely reporting of EHS events. Continuously drive the facility’s culture toward a higher level of safety. Challenge status quo safety behaviors, engage in safety initiatives, and ensure safety related training is completed as scheduled
• Monitor and address production performance. Develop and manage plant Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). Conduct meetings with plant staff to ensure employee and operational issues are being communicated and addressed expediently with a common understanding of goals
• Initiate and drive improvement activities across the facility. Engage all employees in identifying and participating in process improvement projects.
• Ensure all projects follow change processes; communicate the purpose of the change, forming collaborative teams to deliver the desired outcomes and embedding changes through procedures, training, and one-point lessons to make the changes sustainable
• Partner with other functions, teams, and internal/external subject experts regarding the resolution of ongoing problems, the implementation of new procedures or process, the injection of new products or product lines, and the development of new plant and designs
• Ensure all process changes, equipment changes, or product changes follow established change management or trial procedures or processes. Coordinate process trials and share learnings with other facilities
• Benchmark performance of facility against other facilities, share results, and contribute to overall improvement of the division and DFA
• Coordinate with engineering to review and approve plans for new equipment installation and layout to ensure operational efficiency
• Provide back-fill for the Production Manager during holidays or absences
• Participate as part of the management on-call system
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in applicable discipline (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 to 8 years of experience in a management role in a plant environment
• Proven ability to engage broadly and effectively lead teams to leverage the combined talents of various individuals within the organization
• Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company specific systems
• Technical understanding of dairy manufacturing process, control systems, and products
• Able to understand P&L reporting and use results and KPI’s to improve plant performance
• Able to lead and participate collaborative problem solving using structured techniques
• Able to engage broadly and effectively lead teams to leverage the combined talents of individuals within DFA
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e. organizational skills)
• Able to interact in a positive way with all personnel internally and with our customers
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans