Senior Production Executive

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

As a Senior Production Executive, you will oversee and manage the production department to ensure operational efficiency, adherence to safety and quality standards, and the strategic implementation of company policies and goals.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the creation and optimization of production schedules in collaboration with the Production Manager/Superintendent. Maximize productivity, ensure adherence to quality standards, and guarantee timely customer deliveries.
• Oversee the implementation of the Quality Control program to ensure it is robust and effective. Ensure high-quality production in line with sales orders and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Maintain exceptional housekeeping and sanitation standards within the plant. Enforce compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP, cGMP, AIB, HALAL, VET, ISO 14001, and ISO 18001.
• Manage shift schedules, including workstation assignments, rotations, breaks, overtime, and coverage for absences. Ensure effective staffing for continuous plant operations and address any manpower-related issues.
• Uphold and enforce environmental, health, and safety standards in accordance with corporate policies. Ensure adherence to standards such as ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and RSPO.
• Provide accurate and timely production shift reports to the Production Manager. Ensure completion and accuracy of all production documentation, including CIP checklists and monitoring sheets.
• Deeply understand and manage production processes and controls. Detect and report abnormalities, collaborating closely with maintenance teams to resolve issues. Experience with or understanding of spray drying technology is preferred. Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using problem-solving methodologies such as fishbone diagrams and 5 Whys. Drive productivity and efficiency enhancements through lean techniques and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Complete ad-hoc projects or assignments as directed by the Production Manager.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Proven experience in a similar role within a production environment.
• Develop and guide team growth, building strong relationships and ensuring results. Set and review expectations, coach, and motivate the team. Experience in leading teams is essential.
• Communicate clearly within the team and negotiate effectively. Manage engagement plans and report issues promptly.
• Follow and execute instructions with initiative and reliability. Implement safety practices, maintain a positive attitude, and handle disciplinary issues while promoting teamwork.
• Knowledge of production operation and process control. Ability to detect and address abnormalities. Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams. Knowledge of spray drying is a plus. Experience in implementing process improvements.
• Proactively identify and address issues using problem-solving tools and methods (e.g., DMAIC, Six Sigma Green Belt).
• Manage disciplinary matters professionally and according to company policies.
• Manage production-related projects to ensure timely and successful completion.