Operations Manager - Wonderful Citrus

Wonderful Citrus is America's largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus, including clementine/mandarin, navel and Valencia oranges; lemons; limes; grapefruits; and other citrus varieties. Wonderful Citrus owns, cultivates and harvests more than 58,000 acres of fresh citrus and ships around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply. Our citrus can be found in all channels of distribution, with our consumer brands most visible in the produce department of grocery stores across America under the flagship consumer brands of Wonderful Halos mandarins and Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Texas Red grapefruit.

Overview:

The Operations Manager is responsible for overall operational and financial performance of a multi-line manufacturing operation, which includes processing, packing, and storage of perishable products to meet customer requirements. The ideal candidate has experience within the agricultural industry, manufacturing operations, and/or hands-on experience managing perishable products. This role is expected to develop individuals and teams to solve operational deficiencies and motivate team members to achieve performance targets. Candidates must be a strategic partner with a strong work ethic and an unfaltering determination to excel in a fast-paced environment, and a desire to gain tremendous personal and professional growth.

Here's what you'll do:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for achieving, sustaining, and continuously improving personnel safety, food safety, quality, line effectiveness, equipment optimization, personnel development, and financial results
• Ensures accurate inventory maintenance, maintains manufacturing schedules, and organizes strategic plans
• Develops, implements, and monitors annual goals and objectives for a multi-line operation that supports the strategic and financial objectives of the company
• Provide strategic vision and direction leveraging a hands-on approach in the creation of policies / practices and provide leadership for all manufacturing activities; as well as collaborating with other departments & functions (i.e. Sales, Harvest, and Varietal)
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives in the areas of profit, ROI, and process improvements
• Develops metrics with department supervisors to measure performance, control assets and related costs, and optimize operations equipment and associated maintenance
• Manage department commitments in the areas of lean operating techniques, cost reduction, safety, customer satisfaction, employee relations, and departmental performance measures
• Seeks and utilizes new technology and processes to maximize efficiencies and fruit utilization
• Develops policies and procedures to ensure optimization and compliance with established standards and regulations
• Fosters a safe and healthy work environment and provides a high level of safety awareness through continual communication, education, and enforcement of safe work practices
• Oversee all phases of the manufacturing operations' employee relations and development, directly or through subordinates
• Active engagement and ownership of human capital planning -- recruiting, hiring, developing and mentoring subordinates and supervisory team
• Champions continuous improvement activities to improve processes, efficiency, quality and service

Here's what you'll bring to the table:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering or related field highly desired, or equivalent managerial experience in a manufacturing environment
• Minimum 5 years of related experience and/or training in a high-volume productive environment; fruit/produce knowledge or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Advanced knowledge of computerized warehouse management systems, sorting technology, and computer skills required. **Experience with Oracle / Compac / Aweta a plus**
• A high level of mechanical aptitude and technical competence is ideal
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and committed to delivering superior results
• Proven experience in developing and managing annual operating plans (P&L)
• Ability to work in a team environment where honest communication, a positive attitude, engagement and personal accountability is expected
• Operational knowledge of food safety standards, regulations and compliance, OSHA, technical certifications and training, along with food manufacturing experience
• Proven ability to perform financial analyses, and review and analyze existing cost data
• Demonstrated experience in implementing and managing engineered labor standards
• Ability to empower the workforce and build strong teams through hiring, developing, evaluating, training, coaching and succession planning
• Proven ability to define performance measures directly related to the business and competence to hold people accountable to such
• Effective written and verbal communication; as well as interpersonal skills, to work in a collaborative team environment that includes shared responsibilities, establishing and maintaining good working relationships with others to support team and company objectives, and a willingness to work in all areas of the facility
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Demonstrated ability to develop cross-functional relationships, manage projects through their full life cycle (idea to implementation), and break down complex problems into simple solutions
• Excellent management skills including supervision, leadership, communication and planning necessary
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks and meet constant deadlines with strong attention to detail and quality control
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of Directors/Managers, Wonderful Citrus Executive team members, clients, customers, and the general public
• Excellent customer service focus and results oriented

Pay Range: $90,000 - $95,000, and may include a discretionary bonus. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

Wonderful's dedication to you:

• Competitive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, 401k
• Continued training and generous Education Reimbursement Program
• Paid sick, vacation and holiday time
• Wonderful Giving (www.wonderfulgiving.com) -- allowing you to donate company money to a cause of your choice

Why Choose Wonderful?

Wonderful Citrus is part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $6 billion global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world. Its iconic brands include FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, Teleflora, and JUSTIN and Lewis Cellars wines. The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. 

To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products, and its core values, please visit wonderful.com, or follow The Wonderful Company on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. To learn more about the company’s corporate social responsibility impact, visit csr.wonderful.com. 

Wonderful Citrus and The Wonderful Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and with opportunities for advancement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.

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