Senior Plant Director

Overview

Senior Plant Director; Location: Dallas, Texas.

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 Senior Plant Director based in our Dallas, Texas manufacturing facility.

The site leader sets the factory direction to deliver business needs and priorities, driving factory competitiveness through superior products at the right cost on time. You will develop high performing teams in both functional and managerial capabilities. The site leader ensures the plant aligns with Danone's vision by establishing the right culture, building relationships with the local community and union representatives. This is a unionized plant with approximately 525 associates and 14 production lines, reporting to the VP of Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Set the Factory Strategy and Master Plan required to deliver business, manufacturing and people priorities, in conjunction with Danone's growth and improvement strategies. This includes developing long and short-term performance metrics.
• Lead the factory organization to be a highly reliable, responsive, and competitive operation.
• Establish a zero-risk operating culture delivering a safe environment for anyone working in the factory (Danoners and Contractors).
• Accelerate performance rate of improvement through meeting stretch targets and KPIs.
• Build productivity pipeline to secure cost reduction (Plant and COGS).
• Drive IWS implementation to achieve manufacturing & supply chain best practices and standards.
• Drive connectivity, networking, and benchmarking both internally and externally.
• Secure product superiority through minimized product variability and spec consistency, developing and driving strategic and operational plans to support new product / existing product development.
• Strengthen the factory organization through all Danoners.
• Drive organizational development, high performing teams through structure and proximity leadership.
• Develop internal, talented leaders who can further grow within Danone (First Line Leaders and Plant Leadership Team members).
• Strengthen the factory contribution to business innovation pipeline.
• Drive growth and change in a fast-moving, high-energy environment.
• Be a visible and active leader, promoting a favorable and productive culture for all associates.
• Build relationships and set long-term action steps with the local community and other representatives to protect site reputation and competitiveness.
• Develop and maintain positive community relations related to plant interactions: wastewater treatment/utilities, noise abatement, employment, expansion planning, etc.
• Maintain lines of communication to all associates on company policy, suggestions, concerns, complaints, and other issues; implement programs to promote open communication.
• Support and ensure compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety programs, policies, regulations, and with beverage safety, quality, and reliability conditions.
• Ensure the highest level of commitment to quality to ensure products are produced, prepared and handled to the highest standards.
• Measure, track and maintain controls and reports to evaluate plant costs, quality and service levels for efficient operations.
• Develop and maintain a strong local talent pipeline and prepare succession planning for all positions.
• Promote positive associate and union relations.
• Promote a one-team approach with sales and marketing, including customer visits, industry conferences, meetings and conference calls.

Danone North America offers a performance-based bonus and 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 options.

Qualifications

• You have a bachelor's degree in business, engineering or a related field and at least 10 years of leadership experience within a lean manufacturing environment; candidates without a completed bachelor's degree may be considered with at least 15 years of demonstrated leadership in lean manufacturing.
• Experience within CPG manufacturing is required. Experience within a food or beverage manufacturing/processing environment and/or aseptic environment is preferred. Local experience is preferred. Exposure to unions in the United States is strongly preferred.
• You have TPM and/or IWS experience; knowledge of the Maintenance Pillar and Autonomous Maintenance Pillar is required.
• You have experience as a change agent and leading people through change; open to new ideas and able to challenge the status quo; strong influential skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• You have a strong drive to develop people/talent, strong relationship-building ability, and experience managing numerous direct reports and matrix reporting; experience with budgets and cost management.
• You have excellent project management experience and can drive change with a positive attitude and influencing style.
• You have strong problem-solving fundamentals; able to make decisions with limited information and handle uncertainty and change.
• You are process-oriented; able to identify process improvements and implement change successfully.
• You have the ability to support and lead a 24/7 production environment; work schedules may include day/night shifts and weekends as business needs dictate.

About Us, What’s Next

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and industry leader in the food and beverage category. We work with well-known brands including Activia, DanActive, Dannon, evian, and many others. Danone North America employs approximately 5,000 people across 13 production locations in the U.S. Our mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

We’re part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working to create real value for people and the planet. Equal Opportunity Employer. For our EEO policy statement and rights under law, click here.

#LI-NORAM #LI-ONSITE #LI-KH1