Russell Stover Chocolates is a leader in the manufacturer of boxed chocolates. The company’s three brands – Russell Stover, Whitman’s and Pangburn’s - are sold throughout the United States in company-owned retail stores and 70,000 wholesale accounts. After nearly 100 years in operation the company manufactures approximately 100 million pounds of chocolate candies each year in its proud tradition of being “Made in America” and “Handcrafted in Small Batches”.

In September 2014, Russell Stover Chocolates was acquired by Lindt and Sprungli, the world leader in premium chocolates. This was the largest acquisition in the history of Lindt and Sprungli which has operations in over 40 countries across the globe. Russell Stover Chocolates joins sister companies Lindt USA and Ghirardelli to form a powerful confectionery triad in North America.

Position Purpose

The individual in this position is responsible for managing all resources related to a production department at Iola. This includes ensuring products are manufactured in the quantities required by production planning, within designated timeframes, at the most efficient cost without compromising high standards for safety and quality.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Understand, communicate, and drive results consistent with company goals and strategic plan.
• Responsibility for hiring, training, motivating and development of supervisory and up to 500  hourly production staff to ensure optimal production results and establish solid, internal bench strength within the manufacturing facility.
• Actively coach, monitor and review performance of direct reports on a yearly basis. Develop goals with direct reports and follow up to ensure company goals are met.
• Lead the department applying lean methodologies in all areas to reduce or eliminate NVA (non-value added) tasks and to reduce any form of waste.
• Develop and encourage effective working relationships within the department and functional support groups to ensure timely communication and proper operational execution.
• Develop and ensure adherence to all standard procedures (SOP’s, COP’s).
• Facilitate positive partnerships amongst support departments to enhance business processes and remove roadblocks
• Lead, coach and promote kaizen activities across the business in efforts to reduce or eliminate losses
• Proposing/implementing/executing engineering projects/improvements that align with 3-5 year plan/goals
  • Align Ensure capex budget and plan with organizational strategy
  • Assist with project scope defining and execution
  • Identifying and managing potential risks and liabilities of projects while ensuring daily operation goals
  • Motivate team to participate in projects and meet key deliverables

Ensure Safety and Quality Standards

• Ensure safety programs are current and effectively executed in order to minimize incidents or accidents and company liability.
• Ensure that manufactured products are produced in compliance with company Quality specifications, policies, government regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), Hazard Analysis (HACCP) as well as ISO standards and other Quality Standards.

• In a collaborative spirit, ensure internal and external stakeholders understand requirements and expectations.
• Proactively address safety issues, owning your area and deploying data driven improvements to minimize risk
• Collaboration with Research and Development to Achieve the Following:
• Provide input for new product development including constraints and engineering installations necessary for existing production lines
• Identify and drive cross functional efficiency improvement projects
• Understanding of critical production machinery/parameters and its effect on quality to make timely decisions

Fiscal Responsibility

• Drive efficiencies and reduce waste and rework on production lines. Review performance regularly with staff and align maintenance plans based on set goals.
• Responsible for compliance with direct and indirect support labor budgets.
• Participate in the development of the department’s annual budget, manage departmental spending, ensure budgetary compliance within own area of responsibility.
• Remain within budgetary confines on all internally led engineering projects
• Production line scheduling in cooperation with Planning dept.
• Assist with scheduling and planning of production lines to reduce changeovers and optimize operations
• Ensure maintenance activities align with production schedules
• Manage and plan production staffing in conjunction with standard rates

Lindt Production Way (LPW)

• Participate in LPW pillars and teams and support continuous improvement initiatives.

• Follow the LPW methodology (TPM) to monitor and report production (PCS) and continuously improve processes to reduce waste (breakdowns, labor, overweight, etc.) using LPW/lean tools and processes such as 5S, 5-Why, Kaizen events, etc.
• Support and coach employees in critical, independent thinking and root cause analysis to empower them to challenge, improve and standardize processes. Get each supervisor and staff member to take initiative to solve problems and make improvements.
• Support a hands-on approach (Gemba) to go, observe, and understand problems to best support employees and solutions.
• Build effective and autonomous teams, drive change and promote new ideas to improve processes revolving around production, quality, safety, and maintenance.

Ensure that each persons’ job is aligned to provide value to the customer and long-term health of the company.

Required Experience:

Required

• 5+ years supervisory experience preferably in a chocolate manufacturing environment
• 5+ years food/quality/safety experience in manufacturing environment

• Proven experience in continuous improvement in a manufacturing setting using lean tools (5S, TPM, Six Sigma or similar programs)

Skills & Knowledge:

• Proven knowledge of food quality standards, federal state and local regulations
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, Quality – Standards (ISO, AIB, Siliker).
• Understanding of analytical testing, sensory methods, food microbiology, IPM (integrated pest management)

• Excellent computer skills with working knowledge of MS Office

• Strong interpersonal, managerial and leadership skills required with a strong focus on accountability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with individuals at all levels within the organization.
• Formal training in sanitation, food, safety, regulatory

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree

 

Description
Russell Stover Chocolates is a leader in the manufacturer of boxed chocolates. The company’s three brands – Russell Stover, Whitman’s and Pangburn’s - are sold throughout the United States in company-owned retail stores and 70,000 wholesale accounts. After nearly 100 years in operation the company manufactures approximately 100 million pounds of chocolate candies each year in its proud tradition of being “Made in America” and “Handcrafted in Small Batches”.

In September 2014, Russell Stover Chocolates was acquired by Lindt and Sprungli, the world leader in premium chocolates. This was the largest acquisition in the history of Lindt and Sprungli which has operations in over 40 countries across the globe. Russell Stover Chocolates joins sister companies Lindt USA and Ghirardelli to form a powerful confectionery triad in North America.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Russell Stover Chocolates is an EOE/MINORITY/FEMALE/VET/DISABLED employer. Principals only please.