Fruit Team Leader – Geneva Plant - General Mills

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Our Geneva, IL Plant is our newest addition to our North America plant network. To increase capacity and keep pace with the growing consumer demand for the products, General Mills made a significant investment to expand capacity for our beloved Fruit brands (Gushers and Fruit by the Foot). After the complete startup of Fruit, the plant will have 400+ employees and support both with MBS and Snacks Operating units with just under 500,000 sq ft of production and warehouse space.      

The Operations Team Leader is an exciting and high visibility role who will provide leadership to the new Fruit department in the Geneva, IL Plant. This role is a part of a startup of a major investment expanding an existing factory. This project is currently installing 2 new Gushers systems and a new Fruit by the Foot system.   

The Team Leaders will provide manufacturing leadership to deliver a world-class operation. Team Leaders lead, motivate, and develop employees to achieve outstanding manufacturing results, while leveraging Continuous Improvement (Lean/TPM) tools, improving individual skills, and enhancing teamwork. The Team Leader position is responsible for providing daily direction and support to 12 production technicians as well as 7 maintenance technicians during the nights and weekend shifts.  

Relocation to Geneva, IL area will be required for the successful candidate. 

Shift hours: 

• We prioritize work life balance, health and wellness, and equal access to resources for development opportunities and advancement. Our Fruit system will have: 

• 12-hour shifts (rotating - see Shift Schedule below) 

• Day shift: 5:30 am to 6:00 pm 

• Night shift: 5:30 pm to 6:00 am 

• Shift Schedule: 

• 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off rotating schedule 

• Each work block rotates from days to nights 

• Schedule Perks 

• 182 Scheduled Days Off Per Year 

• Every other weekend is a 3-day weekend 

• Plant operation is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

Work Rotation Schedule Example: 

To learn more about our Geneva plant and surrounding area click here!

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Educate, develop, and motivate a manufacturing work group to achieve required production results, improving individual technical skills and enabling collaboration across boundaries 
• Ensure that production facilities and finished products meet the company and government standards for quality, sanitation, and safety 
• Lead the team’s human and food safety culture to prioritize a learning and improving mindset 
• Establish and sustain sound relationships with all employees in order to foster an environment where innovative methods are used to involve others in creative solutions to issues 
• Provide business leadership which demonstrates commitment to department and plant objectives on a day-to-day basis 
• Facilitate, coach, counsel, and guide the manufacturing work group to ensure that they have the ability to deliver results year over year through the use of continuous improvement tools and strategies 
• Function as a technical resource in areas of system operations and product requirements 
• Facilitate the effective interchange of information between work groups, cross-functional resources, and other members of the plant and corporate teams

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• High School diploma
• 1-3 years of manufacturing or related experience 
• Demonstrated leadership skills 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in any major 
• 3+ years of relevant experience 
• Strong interpersonal, communication and listening skills 
• Ability to adjust to multiple demands, shifting work priorities, ambiguity, adversity and change 
• Demonstrated understanding of technology and providing solutions to technical challenges 
• Strong conceptual skills and ability to implement change 
• Sound analytical and business judgment including demonstrated problem-solving and trouble-shooting skills 
• Ability to plan, lead, and execute strategic initiatives in a complex environment 
• Mature approach to challenging situations and environments 
• Experience successfully leading projects or other large improvement plan initiatives

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered. 
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.