General Manager - Contract Manufacturing - HH17045

General Manager - Contract Manufacturing - HH17045

Our client has a strong track record of profitability and superior client retention in the contract manufacturing of personal care products. The GM is expected to play an instrumental role in guiding the PE-owned organization toward continued success and a 3x+ growth objective in the next couple of years. He/she should be focused on driving operational efficiencies, organizational effectiveness, cost savings and profitability, assessing and modifying the manufacturing flow to enable line additions, and continuing the culture of teamwork and loyalty, while pushing for increased accountability and operational excellence.

The objective of the Plant General Manager is to serve as a trusted partner to the Chief Operating Officer to effectively assess, continuously evaluate, plan and execute against the company’s manufacturing plans, customer growth objectives, internal talent development goals, and aggressive growth objectives. Overseeing the non-union operation, he/she is expected to ensure the overall effectiveness of the site’s manufacturing operations and warehouse, focusing on the company’s aggressive growth objectives and needs for increased capacity and efficiencies.

 

Position:            Plant General Manager (Manufacturing & Warehousing) – Regulated CPG

Reports to:         Chief Operating Officer

Location:            Greater Chicago Area

Required:           Plant Manager or similar experience within FMCG or Contract Manufacturing 

 

Position Purpose

The General Manager will be a key contributor to executing on the corporate strategies supporting robust growth objectives over the next few years. This role will hold responsibility for all manufacturing and warehousing functions within two buildings totaling ~450K sq. ft. Among the functional areas this individual will focus on, he/she will have ownership of the site’s complex manufacturing functions (Compounding, Filling, Packaging, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality Control), as well as offsite warehousing and inventory management.

The appropriate candidate will serve as an influential leader and strategic business partner for the previously family-owned company, which is now under the guidance of a top-flight PE firm with an exceptional track record with mid-market companies. He/she will lead by engaging, coaching and developing an energetic team of ~250 (high INDL count); ensuring all programs & priorities are aligned to drive improved capabilities, end-to-end supply harmonization, competitive customer service deliverables & industry best practices.

The GM must possess the ability to build his/her team towards continued functional excellence, but also to collaborate exceptionally well in a small, dedicated, very lean, hand-on, cross-functional leadership team focused on results, accountability and team-development. The incumbent will be expected to instill a fast-growth mindset, and building a culture of “one team pursuing one dream.”

He/she must have experience in a high-SKU/high-volume CPG environment, and preferably, will have some facing experience. The GM will serve as an inspirational & influential leader; infusing the organization with new thinking, adaptability, and improved ways of operating, while providing a sustainable & competitive advantage for the organization. The site is well functioning, but has a great deal of opportunity for increased efficiencies, and an assessment of the current footprint to improve flow and afford new line additions or extensions.

 

Job Description & Responsibilities Include:

• Initiate key strategic initiatives in the non-union site to continually improve working capital utilization and afford future capital investments and growth objectives.
• Assess available data and establish key metrics to measure success including: Manufacturing Metrics (OEE, Throughput, Capacity Utilization, Rejects, Production Attainment, Downtime to Operating Time, Rate of NPI, Changeover Time, Manufacturing Cost Ratios), and Supply Objectives (WIP Inventory & Turns, MRP, Customer Fill Rate/On-Time delivery/Perfect Order Percentage, Inventory Management, Customer Service), in line with other key metrics and SMART goals (EBIDTA, CAGR, Market Share, ROI, Target Achievement.)
• Develop strategic plans to drive step change improvements in areas of opportunity within the company’s inventory portfolio, and in meeting/exceeding customers’ needs for improved communication, quick turns & on-time delivery related to promotional products, year-round products, new product launches, and seasonal demands.
• Benchmark and establish targets for manufacturing efficiencies, safety metrics, forecast accuracy, inventory turns, inventory obsolescence and monitoring results to ensure targets are met/exceeded.
• Establish and implement short- and long-term objectives, initiatives, procedures and policies in collaboration with the COO, President, CEO & Board’s objectives.
• Create and maintain an environment focused on development, training & growth. Ensure reports have active growth plans and are coached to strengthen developmental areas of opportunity, while also ensuring his/her own succession/growth.
• Lead the transition from a top-down and family-led culture, to a more progressive and inclusive environment under the new PE leadership committed to taking the company from good to great.
• Adhere to the company’s values regarding loyalty, transparency, inclusiveness, meritocracy and collaboration in daily activities, interactions and communications.

 

Education/Requirements Include:

• 8+ years of progressive leadership roles within Manufacturing, Production, Engineering and/or Product Supply in a CM/CPG/FMCG/Food/Bev industry. FMCG is required, preferably with high-viscosity products. Contract Manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Experience in a High Volume, High SKU, Fast Moving Regulatory Environment.
• Track record of Strategy Setting & Deployment, Change Management, & Large-Scale Time-Compressed Growth Projects.
• Proven ability to dramatically improve or turnaround manufacturing environments, while fueling aggressive growth.
• Ability to work in a growing, entrepreneurial, and small- to mid-sized organization poised for significant growth.
• Proven growth & cultural awareness in fast-moving organizations. Upwardly mobile, self-driven, adaptive leadership style.
• BS in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain or related field. MS/MBA, ISM, APICs & major ERP preferred.
• Key Competencies: leadership & development, impact focused, adaptability, project management, strong influencing skills, and high-level communication/negotiation/problem solving.

 

If you or anyone you know are qualified and meet the requirements outlined in this announcement, please send your resume to candidates@huntsearch.com for consideration.  

Please Note: this is intended to provide a brief overview of the position and is being shared with numerous potentially qualified individuals and organization leaders within our network.

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