Description
Who We Are
Koppert Biological Systems is the worldwide market leader in integrated pest management and disease management. Every day, we help growers and farmers around the world to combat pests and diseases in a natural and sustainable way. Through this, we hope to make an active contribution to a sustainable society, with safe food in sufficient quantities to feed a rapidly growing population.
Role
The Biological Production Manager will oversee front-line production teams to ensure efficiency and quality in Koppert USA production operations. You will lead production tasks including but not limited to planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all activities while managing the overall production process in your area and ensuring all product preparation and packaging is compliant to the customer guidelines, USDA and safety regulations.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide oversight to capacity and production planning to ensure on time delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Collect, evaluate, analyze, and assess production data; prepare reports that indicate activity in areas such as performance and procedural modifications.
- Champion problem-solving and the use of Lean Principles to continually improve key measure performance in your area.
- Provide guidance to the development of a production process plan, including personnel requirements and material and facility needs. Suggest changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency of work crew and quality of product.
- Collaborate with other leaders and managers to coordinate activities in and among departments.
- Identify and correct problems and inefficiencies in processes, materials, equipment, and skills.
- Collaborate with the Quality team to audit processes and product performance to decrease variance; recognize, respect and adhere to Koppert USA quality processes.
- Coordinate with the Maintenance Manager to ensure effective implementation of preventive maintenance required for process safety and maximization.
- Track forecast versus sales and report scrap as a function of efficiency and planning.
- Develop and implement procedures and strategies to ensure a safe working environment.
- Contribute to the development of capital expense plans and budgets, including project justification.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational laws, regulations, guidelines, and best practices including those related to safety and health.
- Participate in the interviewing and hiring of Production personnel; plan, initiate, and assist in training of employees to expand job knowledge and develop a cross-trained workforce based on standard operating procedures.
- Organize, direct, and oversee the schedules and work of your team.
- Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations.
- Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Associates degree or higher in biology, management, engineering, business, or related field required; or equivalent industry work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3 years’ experience in a production/manufacturing environment required.
- 3 years’ progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment is required; warehousing experience preferred.
- 2 years’ experience in supply chain, logistical, warehousing or distribution preferred.
- Experience with continuous improvement projects highly preferred.
- Knowledge of or experience in ISO quality systems considered a plus.
Skills and Qualifications
- Strong demonstrated leadership skills with ability to get results through self and others; ability to successfully resolve conflict.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills; ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, facilitation, and strategic planning skills.
- Must have the ability to exercise considerable judgment and work independently.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to deal with both internal and external customers.
- Strong time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to problem solve, analyze, and be detail-oriented.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
- Thorough understanding of safety and health laws, regulations, and policies (OSHA).
- Thorough understanding of raw materials, production processes, quality control, cost management, and other effective manufacturing and distribution techniques.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software, ability to write routine reports.
Working Conditions
- This job operates in a standard production environment with moderate noise level a majority of the time and will also work part-time in a standard office environment.
- Regular exposure to bumble bees, mites, and other live insects.
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time both domestically and internationally for training and Production Management gatherings.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to regularly sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
- Ability to travel (air and ground) up to 10%.
- Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to repetitive motion including bending, lifting, twisting, crouching, reaching, pushing, and/or pulling.
- Ability to endure excessive hot/humid and cold conditions for an extended period of time.
- Ability to control emotions under various levels of pressures, stress, and fast paced activities.
- Visual acuity to inspect products and machinery.
What We Offer
Koppert Biological Systems contributes to better health of people and the planet through our products and our people to support Global Sustainability. Our working atmosphere is informal. We are a family company and closely involved with everything that happens in our company. We are consistently looking at ways of improvement and continuing to invest in our employees. This has made us pioneers in the international market when it comes to biological crop protection and sustainable cultivation systems.
Comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, and employer-paid dental insurance, 401K match, employer funded HSA, tuition reimbursement, employer funded life insurance, employer paid long and short-term disability, wellness program initiatives, employee assistance program, volunteer day, Koppert gear, and generous PTO!
Koppert Biological Systems is a veteran-friendly, Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. If you want to join a global and growing organization submit your cover letter and resume. At Koppert, we learn something every day!