Cookie, Assistant Plant Manager

Job Title: Cookie, Assistant Plant Manager

Description:

Please Note:

• Preference will be given to qualified internal applicants. 
• This position is located in Hermitage, PA. Please do not apply if you are not in the area, able to commute, or willing to relocate.

JOB SUMMARY:

Joy Baking Group, a world leader in ice cream cone, cookie, and wafer baking, has a newly created Assistant Plant Manager position open at its growing Hermitage, PA cookie & wafer manufacturing facility. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, this position will be responsible for supporting the safe and efficient production of quality products. This position will work closely with the Plant Manager, Safety, HR, Production floor personnel (including Supervisors), Production Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, Production Planning, Warehousing, and Engineering. The Assistant Plant Manager must have a strong sense of business insight and the ability to think strategically to help the company achieve its goals. The facility is actively expanding to a total of 340,000 ft² and has nearly 200 team members. The facility operates 24/7 with 2 high-output production lines, which will be growing to 3 lines in 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in managing manufacturing operations of the plant in a safe and efficient manner
• Work with leadership to support, manage, and develop facility personnel through established performance management processes and performance appraisals with an emphasis on accountability and a sense of urgency among the team
• Identify and correct personnel deficiencies through training and, with the assistance of the Plant Manager, enact appropriate discipline when necessary
• Work directly with the Plant Manager to support operational activities and to achieve strategic goals including follow-up with Production and support departments
• Assist in identifying, justifying, and implementing capital projects that remove obstacles and support company and facility goals for efficiency, growth, innovation, and employee safety
• Demonstrate full commitment to Quality, regulatory compliance, and Food Safety by actively participating in Food Safety/Quality teams, leading by example, and providing adequate resources to support the development, implementation, maintenance and ongoing improvement of the Quality and Food Safety Systems
• Oversee statistical processes and KPIs to drive continuous improvements in all areas of the plant operation
• Work with the Plant Manager, Sales, and Quality in developing new products and overseeing new product and raw material trials
• Support and maintain a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and professionalism and demonstrate active support of the Company’s values and policies
• Identify and accurately report defective materials, food safety hazards, and potential product contaminant

• Attend safety, food safety, sanitation, and/or leadership trainings as offered/assigned by supervisor
• Perform other duties as directed by supervisor

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• ​​Must be able to speak, listen, and effectively communicate with team members and actively participate in and effectively lead team meetings and initiatives
• Must demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to successfully interact at all levels of the organization
• Must be able to properly prioritize work responsibilities
• Must be able to gather, organize, summarize, and analyze data to make informed decisions
• Must possess strong business acumen and focus on improving business results through incremental improvements while evaluating costs, risks, and benefits for the organization
• Advanced functionality and ability to learn new technology and software including Microsoft office, specifically the use of Excel for complex spreadsheets and data analysis
• Able to read, analyze, follow directions, and perform assigned work duties independently with minimal supervision
• Responsible for adherence to and enforcement of all personnel safety, food safety & quality protocol
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills with the ability to work well under pressure
• Required to understand and abide by all procedures pertaining to allergen control
• Required to adhere to all Good Manufacturing Policies (GMPs)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing required, baking experience preferred
• 4-year degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or a technical field strongly preferred
• Must have a demonstrated history of leadership roles with an emphasis on team development
• Knowledge of SPC systems preferred
• Must understand and have experience with production process and floor equipment
• Knowledge of industry regulations and guidelines
• In depth knowledge of diverse business functions and principles
• Working knowledge of performance/operation metrics

Internal Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to joyhr.pa@joybakinggroup.com.

External Applicants select “get application” below for a printable application form or complete the fields at the bottom of the page to submit your application online. 

Location: Hermitage, PA