Area Leader at J.M. Smucker

Orrville, Ohio, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Food Manufacturing, Consumer GoodsIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (concentration in engineering preferred)
Minimum of 1 year of manufacturing experience
Strong troubleshooting skills
Minimum of 1 year of people management experience in an operations environment
Knowledge of process safety and manufacturing safety protocols
Knowledge of mechanical and maintenance processes
Experience managing, leading, and influencing teams
Experience in food, beverage, or pharmaceuticals (preferred)
Strong organizational, planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
Willingness to work off shift (including days, weekends, holidays) and flow to the work as needed (e.g., starting at 6:00 am)
100% onsite work in Orrville, Ohio

Responsibilities

Manage a team of 36 hourly technicians across 2 shifts supporting a 24/7 operating schedule
Own the safety, quality, and reliability of a production line across all shifts
Manage 2 team leaders and multiple functional leaders on the teams
Plan and execute the team’s work plans
Hold team accountable to individual and team responsibilities
Direct engineering projects from conception through completion
Act as a key member of the department leadership team
Work closely with managers, plant engineering, and technicians to solve problems and improve the department
Identify losses and develop plans and strategies to eliminate losses in safety, quality, reliability, and cost
Develop technician skills within the department (from new hires to team leaders)
Work closely with a process engineer and maintenance coordinators to improve production line results
Provide support throughout other parts of the plant as needed
Own a safety key element for the plant
Achieve and improve scorecard results for the department
Act as a safety role model at all times
Monitor progress of technicians’ step-up cards
Meet or exceed process reliability targets

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Team ManagementSafety LeadershipQuality ControlProduction ReliabilityProject ManagementProblem SolvingCritical ThinkingOrganizational SkillsPlanningCommunicationPresentation SkillsProcess ImprovementEngineering Projects

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this Area Leader position?

The role is 100% onsite in Orrville, Ohio, with willingness to work off shifts including days, weekends, and holidays as needed.

What are the minimum requirements for this role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree (engineering preferred), at least 1 year of manufacturing experience, 1 year of people management in operations, strong troubleshooting skills, and knowledge of process safety, manufacturing safety protocols, mechanical and maintenance processes.

What team size and structure does this position manage?

The role manages a team of 36 hourly technicians across 2 shifts, along with 2 team leaders and multiple functional leaders, in a department with a 24/7 operating schedule.

What is the company culture like at J.M. Smucker?

The culture is bold, kind, focused on doing the right thing, playing to win, and building a strong community that thrives together, rooted in Basic Beliefs while supporting employees' physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What skills or experience make a candidate stand out for this Area Leader role?

Preferred experience in food, beverage, or pharmaceuticals, strong organizational, planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, presentation, verbal and written communication skills, plus ability to direct engineering projects, work independently, and train technicians.