AVP, Site Operations - Multi-Site

How you will make history here… 

General Summary:

Based out of Willard, OH, the AVP Multi-Site Operations is responsible for managing plant operations of the 800-person Willard, OH bakery producing Pepperidge Farms Cookies and Goldfish, and oversite of Campbell’s Snacks Ashland bakery producing Pepperidge Farms Cookies and Archway cookies. The incumbent will ensure all key objectives are met, and will oversee and monitor performance for safety, quality, maintenance, cost, customer service, and employee engagement. This role oversees day-to-day activities across all departments and leads the transformation to a high-performing, team-based environment. The incumbent must be a strategic business partner with internal and external customers, suppliers, and peers throughout the organization. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to drive continuous improvement using innovative tools and approaches. Key leadership requirements include inspiring trust, creating direction, driving decision-making, building talent and culture, executing with excellence, and owning the results.

What you will do… 

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Manage daily plant operations through direct reports.

• Workplace Objectives: Ensure that the operation is meeting key workplace objectives such as safety, employee engagement, and talent development and retention.

• Alignment and Accountability: Establish clear goals that align the plant’s efforts with the organization’s vision; ensure synergies between people, processes, and strategies to drive flawless execution of business objectives.

• Talent Development: Enhance organizational talent; build a competitively superior organization by attracting, developing, and retaining talent to ensure that people with the right skills and motivation are in the right place at the right time to meet business needs.

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement long-term strategic plans which support the corporate strategic road map and ensure the vitality of the plant operation.

• Continuous Improvement: Create a culture of continuous improvement in production, quality, and cost. Foster a culture of innovation and efficiency. Monitor performance metrics and lead cross-functional teams to achieve sustainable improvements that align with organizational goals.

• Corporate Collaboration: Work with various functions/business partners to drive plant and company initiatives, facilitate exemplary employee performance, and support company-wide measurables.

• Cost Reduction: Proactively seek opportunities for cost reduction and improved productivity, including process and performance improvements, waste reduction, and increased safety.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor key performance indicators to assess labor and variance to budget, yield dollars to budget, total delivered cost, and controllable expenses. Create and lead execution of action plans for any gaps. Also, direct plant performance to support enablers and capital expenditures.

• Compliance: Champion quality, safety, and environmental policies, ensuring compliance with all legislative and regulatory responsibilities.

• Governance: Establish a strong governance to review and control operational performance and continuous improvement plans, embedding a zero-loss mindset across the site.

• Standards and Compliance: Lead and be accountable for all manufacturing standards, governance, and compliance requirements, ensuring they are understood by all employees and regularly reviewed.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Interface with key stakeholders throughout the organization

Who you will work with… 

• Reporting to the VP, Manufacturing

• Managing two Manufacturing facilities in Ashland & Willard

What you bring to the table… (Must Have) 

Required Education & Skills/Experience:

• HS Degree or GED

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain, with proven leadership in a high-volume, complex facility or multi sites.

• 5+ years of people management experience, demonstrating ability to lead diverse teams effectively in a high-performance organization.

• 3+ years in a Plant Operations leadership role leading 500+ employees.

• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Equipment Reliability, and Six Sigma.

• Prior experience in managing and leading in a select non-union.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, driving performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Proven experience in managing and developing talent, ensuring effective team dynamics and team engagement.

 Physical Requirements:

· Ability to frequently walk, stand, and move throughout a large manufacturing facility, including production floors, warehouses, and outdoor areas, for extended periods of time.

· Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or reviewing reports.

· Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms as required to access equipment, production areas, or observation points.

· Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach to observe operations, inspect equipment, or engage with teams on the production floor.

· Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, hearing protection, eye protection, hard hats, hair nets, and other safety gear as required by site policies.

· Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, humidity, noise levels, and exposure to moving machinery typical of a food manufacturing operation.

· Ability to visually inspect equipment, processes, and product, including close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

· Ability to communicate effectively in person in a manufacturing environment with background noise, including giving verbal instructions and participating in safety and operational discussions.

· Ability to travel between sites occasionally, as required, including overnight travel.

· Ability to respond to operational needs outside of standard business hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or emergency situations.

It would be great if you have… (Nice to Have) 

Preferred Education & Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations or Business Management, Supply Chains or Logistics

• 2+ years of full Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility.

• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

• Solid business acumen and strategic decision-making abilities.

• Excellent communication and project management skills.

• Strong understanding of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Safety Management, Logistics, and Warehouse Management.

• Highly proficient in MS Office and other digital productivity tools

• Demonstrated ability to advance Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives through community engagement and servant leadership.