Operations Specialist

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels across North America.

Summary:

This position is responsible for:

• Monitoring KPIs such as OEE, downtime, waste, quality, etc, and develop actions to address performance gaps.
• Partnering across departments to drive improvements in efficiency, quality, and safety while reducing waste.
• Leading root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions to eliminate losses.
• Driving Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives at the line level, focusing on waste reduction, standardization, and equipment reliability.
• Coordinating a comprehensive training program for all departments.
• Creating new SOPs, OPLs, CILs, etc. or any other support document need to improve processes.
• Conduct regular skills gap assessments and create training plans for employees.
• Represent the high standards of SunOpta, both at work and in the community.
• Standardize and share expertise across all departments and shifts in the production facility.
• Be a part of the SunOpta 360 Operating system in all elements working with the team to drive to zero.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as safety model; promote a high level of safety awareness and continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Analyze production and downtime data to identify patterns, prioritize issues, and communicate performance to leadership.
• Develop daily, weekly, and monthly reports online performance and improvement actions.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving meetings and follow-up to ensure accountability for results.
• Exhibit and possess the ability to understand, troubleshoot, and repair processing equipment.
• Identify deficiencies in the production stream and effectively implement new strategies.
• Be able to multi-task efficiently throughout the facility.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of production and / or packaging equipment, processes, and practices.
• Expert with Microsoft Office, including Excel, .
• Working knowledge of computer and math skills.
• Strong written / oral communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related) or equivalent practical experience.
• Black Belt certification
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Prior experience driving continuous improvement activities at the floor level.
• Work effectively in a team-based environment.
• Set priorities, meet deadlines, multi-task and work under pressure.
• Able to work with a minimal amount of supervision.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Formulate and suggest work safety standards, while enforcing procedures.
• Assess training needs for new and existing employees.
• Partner with Supervisors regarding employee training needs.
• Organize, develop or source training programs to meet specific training needs.
• Develop training aids such as manuals and handbooks (e.g. SOP, SSOP).
• Present training programs using recognized training techniques and tools.
• Facilitate learning through a variety of delivery methods including classroom instruction, virtual training and on-the-job coaching.
• Design and apply assessment tools to measure training effectiveness>
• Provide feedback to program participants and management.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on training material and methodology.
• Maintain employee training records.
• Manage and maintain in-house training equipment.
• Keep current on training design and methodology.

Additional Considerations:

• Location: This position will be at the SunOpta Plant in Midlothian, TX.
• Shift: This shift will be primarily a day shift role but will require a candidate that has the flexibility to do approximately one week/month on swing or overnight shift. Flexibility will be needed,
• Travel: Some travel may be required to various SunOpta locations and for meetings or other job-related functions.
• Work Environment: Approximately 95% of this position will be in a plant / manufacturing environment; approximately 5% of this role may be in an office environment.
• Physical Consideration: Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice,

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED