Mgr Pilot Plant

Job Location: Technical Center, Hershey, PA

Summary

Under the direction of the Director of New Tech & Product Commercialization, the Tech Center Pilot Plant Mgr. will be responsible for leading all Pilot Plant Operations, including Manufacturing, Maintenance, Planning, QA, and Dock & Warehouse. The Pilot Plant Mgr. will partner with R&D, Engineering, CI, QRC, and Marketing teams to deliver in-year and out-year innovation pipeline goals for Core CMG and Strategic Growth Platform business. The Pilot Plant Mgr. will ensure the responsibilities of Pilot Plant Operations are executed with the proper input and interaction from key functional groups (R&D, Engineering, CI, EHS, QRC, and Facilities) under a partner-centricity focus. The Pilot Plant Mgr. will be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and developing the talent necessary to sustain all Pilot Plant Operations. This is a highly collaborative position as the Tech Center and Pilot Plant must manage the needs of Supply Chain, R&D, and Innovation while still focusing on QRC and EHS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all operations within the Pilot Plant space, providing operational leadership and guidance for ensuring product quality, safety, and production fulfillment for consumer tests, trials, and sales samples. This involves resolving scheduling conflicts and prioritizing with stakeholders.
• Support Engineering, R&D, and CI innovation efforts by supporting early-stage manufacturing and engineering solutions, including equipment feasibility testing and R&D efforts to develop robust Transformational Flow Diagrams for new products.
• Oversee the development, planning, and execution of small scale "in market test" production runs and coordination of product distribution to the end customer.
• Provide leadership and input into strategic direction for the Technical Center, focusing on ensuring that the Pilot Plant is set up to meet and adapt to current and future business needs.
• Lead organizational improvements within the Pilot Plant, including people resourcing, more flexible spaces, raw vs. finished product spaces, and new equipment/technologies to improve efficiency and support innovation.
• Full ownership over the Pilot Plant cost center, including staffing, operations, maintenance, and budgeting requirements to support all Pilot Plant activities, QA, Sanitation, and EHS programs. This involves operating and maintaining Pilot Plant equipment and developing appropriate PMs.
• Lead all dock and warehouse functions at the Tech Center, including ingredient receiving and storage, shipment of Sales samples, and shipment of equipment/samples/ingredients for testing.
• Support ever changing Pilot Plant equipment needs by leading and supporting the setup and installation of new equipment purchased by R&D, CI, and Engineering.
• Support all sample packaging and repack needs for consumer testing, including wrapping, bagging, and hand cartoning.
• Ability to work closely with cross functional partners in the design and execution of programs that promote a safety culture and that result in the safety of our people and the fulfillment of the environment and sustainability policy.
• Partner with QRC to ensure Pilot Plant and Manufacturing Labs meet FDA and Department of Agriculture requirements for edible products.
• Coach and develop Pilot Plant Operations team members, ensuring development of robust training and career development plans.
• Work with local manufacturing sites to develop and share best practices in the areas of maintenance, warehouse, and production planning.

Minimum Requirements and Education

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the Food Industry as an Engineer/Senior Engineer, Maintenance Supervisor, Production Supervisor, QA Supervisor, or R&D Manager with demonstrated ability to lead teams in the planning and execution of projects and programs.
• Understanding of the importance of People Safety, Food Safety & Quality, Sanitary Design, GMPs, machine guarding, and allergen segregation.
• Ability to be agile and flexible to changing demands and workload to ensure timely results.
• Excellent leadership, cross functional communication, and collaboration skills.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Food Engineering, Food Science, or other relevant field of study.
• Technical knowledge of basic unit operations and utilities used in the Confectionery manufacturing industry (Depositing, Extrusion, Roasting, Chocolate Processing, Tempering, Cooking, and other Confectionery unit operations).
• Preventative maintenance skills with the ability to trouble-shoot equipment failures.
• Ability to collaborate with the Technical Center Facilities maintenance team, understanding the importance of matching equipment specifications to electrical and utility capabilities of the various rooms in the Pilot Plant.