Senior Manager Process Development and Commercialization (Finance)

Purpose of the Position

This position oversees the development and implementation of the corporate technology plan and has responsibility for the development of new processes and improvement of existing processes to meet strategic business objectives as well as to provide operations support. This position has global responsibility for the development of new processes and formats to meet strategic business objectives supporting the corporate strategic plan. The individual is responsible to optimize and validate existing processes both from a product quality and product consistency standpoint. The Senior Manager will develop project designs, manage the scope of projects including timelines and budget, and assign responsibility to direct report personnel.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.

Principle Activities. The individual is responsible for the integration of food engineering technology into product applications with consideration of existing plant equipment. This position is responsible for budget management and resource allocation to assure that the project portfolio is prioritized and managed in a timely and cost-effective manner. This Senior Manager must work closely with Operations, Maintenance and Engineering to ensure optimization of existing plant processes and the efficient selection and installation of new equipment. Manage the project portfolio. Maintain department fluidity as possible to allow rapid re-deployment to areas requiring immediate attention. Prioritize projects relative to time constraints and benefits to the Company.

Equipment Validation (Installation Qualification-IQ) Oversight. Evaluate new equipment which may provide Simmons Food, Inc. with product differentiation and may include both processing and packaging equipment. This may involve placement of test equipment in a Simmons manufacturing facility or utilization of vendor pilot plants. Lead, in collaboration with the engineering group, the implementation of new equipment with respect to performance, product impact and to optimize processing. Lead Equipment Validation studies of both operational qualification (IQ/OQ) and long-term validation (PQ) to evaluate equipment wear and/or longer term process capabilities

Process Development and Improvement (Operational Qualification-OQ, CQV, Performance Qualification PQ) Oversight. Ensure process capabilities remain contemporary relative to target brands. Develop new technology to improve existing product parameters. Work closely with Product & Process Development and Sales & Marketing to identify new areas of opportunity with respect to process development. Involve engineers in technology plan. Develop, scale-up, and commercialize new processes to minimize cost and maximize simplicity and flexibility in accordance with committed time and budget constraints. Allocate resources to commission new equipment at manufacturing sites as required. This may include both replacement of equipment to improve upon existing capabilities or that which expands corporate capabilities. Ensure continuous improvement of existing capabilities including plant efficiency. Allocate resources as required to optimize new product development efforts which involve new process development. Optimize existing processes to improve plant efficiency and finished product consistency. Allocate testing (bench, external pilot plant, plant) according to risk profile of projects. Support supply chain initiatives as required. Assist in development of meaningful process control points for various product types to assure product consistency.

Operations, Quality and Supply Chain Support. Support operations and supply chain initiatives as required. Assist in development of meaningful process control points for various product types to assure product consistency. Ensure process capabilities with respect to customer expectations are met. Provide technical support to plants where ingredient or finished product deviations occur. Ensure that installation protocols are performed in accordance with QA procedures.

Problem Solving. Assist plant personnel in problem solving (root cause and corrective actions) where non conformances result from special cause effects. Monitor production holds and lead process audits to aid in identifying the root cause of non-conformance.

Training. This individual will also serve as a mentor to more junior staff and assure their training and development. They will keep abreast of technological advances in the meat, food, and pet food industries. Maintain professional competence via membership in professional societies and/or attending trade shows displaying new processing/packaging equipment. Must provide training to production personnel and product development staff on best practices of any relevant processing fundamentals including interactions with formulation requirements.

Participates as a member of the Team . Participates in ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforces actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons' established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position's role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide activities and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. Commitment to quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of the business is essential.

Physical Activities: Must be able to work on a computer for an extensive amount of time. Must be able to stand or walk for many hours in any of our production facilities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in required environment.

Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites or customer visits, often requiring overnight stays. Approximately 30% travel.

Technical Experience: Must have excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with AutoCAD is a plus. Will be expected to quickly learn the business integration software suites including Agile PLM, Oracle, JDE and Concept 5.

Industry Experience: 10 years experience in product or process development and technical services is required. Required experience is balanced by education level. Individuals should be a recognized expert in their field of expertise. Experience in commercial product and process development and in the food and pet food industry is desirable. Knowledge of processing parameter effects on product development, sensory & nutrition is a plus.

Minimum Education : Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Biological or Mechanical Engineering.

Preferred Education: Master's degree in Chemical, Biological or Mechanical Engineering.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

#ZR1