Senior Supervisor - Plant Operations - San Leandro, CA

At Ghirardelli, we're on a mission to become a one-billion-dollar brand and beyond. We want to be every consumer's first choice of premium chocolate, and we believe we can do that through our products and the way we do business, which are all inspired by our brand commitment to Making Life A Bite Better. We are a company committed to both personal and professional growth and believe that each employee contributes directly to Ghirardelli's growth and success.

The Senior Supervisor - Plant Operations proactively drives business objectives through strategic execution of department-wide tasks related to safety, quality, and efficiency to ensure continuous improvement of production lines.

This role serves as a role model when leading teams and influences peers and direct reports. They understand the departments process flow, are a champion for Ghirardelli's quality and safety systems, and drive results through involving, coaching, teaching, and motivating both employees and peers.

Depending on area of assignment up to 36 direct reports, can indirectly lead a team of up to 110 hourly employees

Responsible for key systems in area of responsibility

*NOTE: Our factory runs 24/7 with three shifts. The Sr. Production Supervisor position is scheduled for 2nd (2pm-10:30pm) or 3rd Shift (10pm-6:30am) and will be based on business needs.

• Partner with Safety Manager to ensure that Safety goals and objectives are met
• Ensure proper training of staff in safety procedures and accident prevention
• Enforce Ghirardelli's Safety rules and procedures; provide feedback and manage performance when applicable
• Drives continuous improvement through in house continuous improvement tool by reviewing quality issues and defining action steps to prevent future errors
• Ensure that sanitation and housekeeping of assigned areas meet Ghirardelli standards as well as all regulatory requirements
• Ensure that Ghirardelli's GMP rules are enforced and oversee the production processes
• Hold employees accountable for the quality of the product they produce; coach and manage performance if applicable
• Maintain existing HACCP, Master Sanitation, Weight Control and quality programs
• Ensure all designated Quality Checks are performed at the desired frequency and that documentation is in order
• Verify and improve production as well as quality procedures applying the "best standard"
• Conduct defined line audits to ensure proper equipment operating conditions and capabilities within standards
• Review and monitor the performance of lines to develop corrective actions
• Analyze issues and develop, recommend, and implement continuous improvement strategies to address complex production issues
• Help define investment strategy and champion IR Process through execution
• Production Reporting
• Ensure production plans are adhered to
• Regulate/monitor material flow and material usage
• Ensure accurate reporting of production achievements while fully understanding OEE and TE
• Provide support to all shifts as Super User for SAP.
• Ability to prioritize work and improvements within their area
• Assess, identify and implement training needs of staff - operators and team leads, and participate in development and execution of training programs when required
• Holds regular one on one meetings with Team Leads and fellow supervisors to ensure that continuous improvements are being made and sustained
• Partner with the Training and Staffing Specialist to ensure that knowledge, experience, and training in chocolate manufacturing are continuously upgraded
• Provide technical support and drive continuous improvement in area or responsibility
• Ability to develop, plan and execute action plans
• Analyze chocolate production processes and use root cause analysis to resolve problems and ensure improved manufacturing capabilities
• Support of packaging and product trials
• Ability to Complete investment request for an improvement project/ IR
• Partner with Human Resources Partner to ensure labor issues are addressed in a timely manner and within the guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement
• Participation in grievance meetings, contract negotiations, mediations or arbitrations as needed
• Set expectations and priorities through KPI's and holds employees accountable
• Identify competency gaps and development opportunities of direct reports while creating a high performing team dynamic
• Enforce Ghirardelli safety rules, regulations, and procedures; issue disciplinary actions as required
• Be an active member of two LPW Pillars to ensure the pillar strategies are aligned using TPM philosophy prioritize projects to improve the factory efficiency and losses
• Provide Leadership/Coaching to other supervisors for support and guidance while being onsite.
• May perform other duties as assigned.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned or as necessary.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, food science or manufacturing related discipline and 3-5 years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• 1-2 years direct supervisory experience, ideally in a union environment
• Chocolate experience desired or prior experience in food or pharmaceutical environment.
• Proven knowledge and effective execution of Lean Manufacturing Practices.
• Strong computer literacy in MS Office and integrated systems.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong knowledge of the production manufacturing processes, and of packaging and processing machinery
• Ability to manage multiple priorities/ Improvement projects
• Required to develop strong trusting relationships with team and others in the organization in order to gain support and achieve results
• Required to be self-directed and motivated
• Required to work and function effectively in a union environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to proactively engage dialogue and communication to reach resolutions with employees at all levels of the organization
• Flexibility to work any shift, as needed

Other Job Requirements

• Must be able to work on feet for extended periods.
• Must be able to work seated or standing for at least 8 hours
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs and up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Requires the ability to climb stairs and ladders; must be able to work from heights
• Exposure to vibration, moving mechanical parts and loud noise
• Must be capable of using protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection, air masks, respirators, etc. in the performance of job duties
• Must be able to kneel, bend, crouch and climb as required
• Unionized manufacturing environment
• Potential for very warm or very cold working environment/depending on area of assignment.
• Interfacing with various manufacturing equipment and office computer equipment
• Regular communication with direct reports and internal and/or external customers
• Occasional travel for meeting/training

SALARY RANGE: $92033 to $119,664 / year