REGIONAL OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST I

At Pilgrim's, we are dedicated to providing wholesome, high-quality poultry products to families across the globe. Being a part of the family meal is a tremendous honor and one we take seriously as one of the largest poultry producers in the world. Our more than 54,000 talented team members are passionate about what we do, and we invite you to join us on our journey to becoming the best!

*** This position will be located at one of these plant locations – Broadway, VA, Marshville, NC, Sumter, SC or Douglas, SC.  This is not a remote position!  Location determined upon selection.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position is responsible for directing various projects and initiatives at Processing Plants and Live Operations across a Business Unit of the Company.  Working closely with the operations teams as well as Support departments including but not limited to safety, human resources, food safety and quality assurance, engineering, plant operations personnel, live operations and upper management.

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Regularly visit Pilgrim’s plant and live locations across the United States, working with our teams to prepare, train, and conduct process improvement initiatives utilizing lean and continuous improvement tools as part of the Pilgrim’s Management Method;
• Develop and manage process improvements for achieving measurable efficiency, cost reduction, variation reduction, flow optimization or performance improvement gains;
• Lead a team of Coordinators of Operational Excellence (COE), helping them with the implementation and execution of the Management Method tools and processes in their complexes;
• Primary contact for an assigned business unit to facilitate continuous improvement initiatives and to develop and support plant COEs;
• Key member of the Operational Excellence management team with responsibilities for developing and improving material, auditing plant locations, preparing and submitting regular reports, and other support as necessary across all business units;
• Co-own the Management Pillar implementation by teaching all its tools, training personnel, serving as support, and continuously improving the material to support company priorities;
• Participate in executive update and quarterly corporate meetings as required;
• In conjunction with the other members of the Operational Excellence management team, lead annual meetings with the COEs of each plant by planning the agenda, developing the content to be presented and communicated, and facilitating the meetings;
• Act on an ad-hoc basis to be part of any other continuous improvement project or initiative as part of the Pilgrim’s Management Method.
• Support and serve as a subject matter expert of labor standards, time studies, labor reports, labor budgets with internal and external parties, and facilitate the sharing of best practices throughout the company network.
• Available to travel up to 70% of the time.
• Performs various other tasks as needed.

EXPECTATIONS – all Team Members

• Observe & enforce all company personnel, quality, safety, and food safety policies.
• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you work effectively and cooperatively with team members, customers, coworkers, and leadership teams.
• Participates in process improvement and problem solving utilizing continuous improvement and rational thinking methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, etc. and participates in or supports the team’s initiatives.
• Recognizes and acts on incidents and safety risks.  Consistently practices and enforces safe work habits and drives those habits throughout the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 - 8 years manufacturing industry experience (preferably in poultry).
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering field required.
• Strong math, analytical, problem solving and project management skills.
• Experience with Minitab or any data analysis software.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Word.
• 6 Sigma certification (desired)

Why Work for Pilgrim’s? 

• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment; 
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays; 
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;  
• Base Salary range of $110,000 +/- based on experience
• Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs; 
• Better Futures 

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.  

About us: Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. 

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.  

Our core values are:  Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity  

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.