Group Leader - Production at Rich Products Corporation in Moonachie, NJ

Rich's, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4billion, Rich's is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich's-Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

Supervises an operating unit responsible for converting raw materials into finished product in a safe, sanitary, cost-effective, and efficient manner. Protects the safety, hygiene and quality of the food, while meeting company quality standards.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide safe work environment for the team. Communicate any potential safety issues, near misses or ergonomic improvements across work groups.
Adheres to production schedules, assigning staff to ensure that production quotas are met for finished goods inventories. Minimizes waste and cost and ensures conformance to Safety, Food Defense and Quality standards.
Model GLD behaviors daily to drive associate performance and engagement. Provide training and development to optimize their performance and personal growth. Communicates performance standards to associates, recognizing and rewarding individual and team accomplishments and counseling performance problems.
Understand plant-specific associate handbook and consistently follow it. Understand plant-specific union collective bargaining agreements and consistently follow it.
Know the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each critical control point (CCP) for each line they are responsible for. Communicate any issues/concerns between levels and shifts. Understand and ensure food safety and GMP policy in the plant and enforcement of it.
Correct ingredients are being used and brought to the lines, and ending inventories accurately returned. Accuracy in the work centers.
Understands the product quality checks completed and product meets quality standards (Bullseye/Spec)
Directs requisitions for maintenance and repair of production equipment, and for machine parts and manufacturing supplies.
Recommends improvements in machinery and equipment and in manufacturing methods.
May organize the crews necessary for reconditioning product removed from the freezers, or from production, for reprocessing or repackaging, and ensure these functions are performed in an efficient manner.
Ensures Company (Work Instructions and PWIs) are followed. Provide appropriate associate training and documentation of training.
Practice Daily Leader Standard Work and audit standard work of group leads
Maintains and reports production-related information regarding yields, efficiencies and labor utilization to management.
Be knowledgeable about conversions as it relates to yield optimization. Communicate yield performance to team(s).
Identify yield improvements opportunities , that is, where the is occurring in the conversion process and/or provide support to improve ingredient and packaging usage while ensuring conformance to food safety and product quality standards.
Participates in weekly GMP, 6S, sanitation and safety inspections throughout the production departments and corrects, or issues work orders to correct, any identified deficiencies. Follows up on work orders, with the appropriate associates to ensure expeditious performance of the requested work.
Ensure all lines are in compliance with GMP compliance (Audit ready)
Provide direct reports with informal performance assessments and recommendations of training. Setting expectation for associates.
Participate in PIT teams, as required
Identifies temporary staffing needs of unit for the following day or week, and arrange for the presence and assignment of temporary or regular labor to the unit prior to line start-up.
Keeps abreast of latest manufacturing technologies and systems.
Performs other related responsibilities, as needed, to support Rich Products Corporation's business objectives

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

HS degree or GED; BA/BS degree in Business, Supply Chain Operations, Food Science, Engineering or related field preferred
3 years supervisory experience in a food-processing, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing organization, preferably using computerized manufacturing equipment
Working knowledge of FDA regulations, BRC Global Food Initiative Standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation processes/procedures and HACCP
Demonstrated understanding of production scheduling and other production variables such as run-rates, processing times, change-over times, etc.
Demonstrated knowledge of efficient and safe manufacturing operations to include product and associate safety, OSHA standards, product quality (success rates), throughput delivery and cost control (minimizing downtime and waste, optimizing yield)
Demonstrated ability to direct, coach, and train associates as well as plan, monitor and schedule work
Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems
Demonstrated mechanical and spatial aptitude, including the ability to disassemble and reassemble equipment
Demonstrated ability to formulate and understand complex mathematical equations
Proficient using Excel or other spreadsheet software

Physical Requirments:

Will be required to perform tasks such as lifting up to 55 pounds, walking, standing, climbing, reaching, stooping, pulling, pushing, grasping, and balancing as part of production activities out on the floor.
Will be required to see and hear well enough to understand Associates questions and respond to their concerns.
Will be required to work in freezers, near noisy machinery, near confined spaces as part of daily production activities.

Food Safety Responsibilities:

Follow all GMP's, food safety, and quality policies.
Ensures all GMP and all Food hygiene and Food safety standards are in compliance.
Report all food safety incidents such as GMP violations, ingredient and product contamination, metal detector, screen, or magnet deficiencies, glass breakage, and pest harborage.
Review food defense and quality records for precision, accuracy, and conformance to document control procedures, providing written verification as required.
Ensure employee compliance in the areas of food defense, food regulations, and product / process quality; provide adequate coaching as needed.
Provide immediate and long-term corrective action in the event of non-compliance to food defense and quality policies.
Record accurate and legible results on documentation
Provide adequate housekeeping at all times.

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich's. Please contact Rich's Human Resources department at hrhelp@rich.comif you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.