Business Unit Manager

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Business Unit Manager based in Mount Crawford, Virginia.

Job Summary

The Business Unit Manager will work closely with Senior Plant Leadership to direct and manage the day-to-day operations of the assigned business unit. This position will manage utilization of equipment, facilities, and personnel to obtain maximum efficiency and meet performance objectives to maintain the highest standards in product quality and consumer satisfaction. This position will lead, coach and set direction for multiple leaders and supervisors on a regular basis and report to the Operations Director. This role may be assigned to any business unit in the facility.

Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

Be a clear champion for a safe culture and a driver towards an accident-free workplace.
• Provide clear leadership, coaching and direction to team in alignment with plant and Danone NA objectives and vision
• Create strategic plans and actions for their business unit to ensure that the plant delivers its annual objectives
• Coach the leaders within the business unit in developing servant leadership standards and practices
• Champion the identification and implementation of best practices
• Recognize and solve problems using Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies
• Be a leader in the implementation of Continuous Improvement methodology, IWS methodology including owning Pillars.
• Direct and coordinates activities of business unit to promote operational efficiency, waste reduction, cost effectiveness, and safety.
• Maintains the highest standards in product quality and consumer satisfaction.
• Champions data driven decision making and is skilled at analysis of performance information
• Responsible for business unit expense control, including labor, materials and waste
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. Occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:

• Must understand vague and implicit instructions and react favorably in all work situations.
• Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people.
• Must be able to communicate providing verbal feedback in a professional manner.
• Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials, and articulate goals and action plans.
• Must understand people and be able to communicate effectively with them.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems
Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits:
Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience:

• A High school diploma or GED, required. A bachelor's degree in engineering/business management/food science or related field, preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience, with at least 5 years' experience in a leadership role within a high-speed food / beverage / CPG manufacturing environment, required. Previous leadership experience in dairy/food/beverage manufacturing is preferred. Previous experience with beverage production and processing as well as aseptic lines is highly desired.
• Previous experience with lean methodology including IWS are highly preferred
• A combination of education and experience that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required is acceptable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Sharp and tenacious troubleshooting skills- the ability to rapidly assess, analyze, and resolve complicated problems with little initial information or direction and with varying degrees of ambiguity.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within time constraints.
• Strong "self-management" skills. Must bring interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills required to interact with various levels of plant and corporate personnel.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and possess the ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly, while maintaining control, focus and accuracy with limited guidance in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Team player, motivated and willing to do whatever is required to ensure success of the team.
• Delivers on SQCDMN daily/weekly/monthly/yearly goals and objectives through individual and team efforts
• Proficient in the use of various computer programs including MS Office programs and Smartsheets.
• Ability to work flexible schedules as needed to support 24/7 plant operations.

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia , Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STK Cold Brew Coffee , Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch.

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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