Kwik Lok Hiring for Director of Global Production at Yakima, WA Full Time

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Kwik Lok has been producing a product that most of us have depended on our entire lives – the clip that closes your produce and loaves of bread to keep it fresh! Kwik Lok is an innovation and engineering organization focused on sustainability. We are in the business of “hacking the package” – innovating clever advantages in packaging to get food to the table faster, fresher, and safer while reducing waste. Kwik Lok is a 3rd generation, family-owned company headquartered in Yakima, WA with 7 offices and 6 plants worldwide. We are a mid-size company delivering our product to almost 100 countries.

We know that people are looking for jobs that are a better fit in their lives right now. Here are a few pieces of information that might help you decide whether Kwik Lok is a good fit for you:

• Inclusive culture: Kwik Lok is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion to increase the success of our employees and customers. We want every person to feel part of the team! Our team members come from a variety of backgrounds, and we see value in learning from each other’s different perspectives.
• Innovation: Our goal is to create an environment where employees can be curious and express ideas to identify new and better solutions. We want every employee to be engaged in improving our workplace and work processes. Innovation isn’t just for engineers!
• Meaningful work: We know that every job has things you’ll love doing and things you’ll love less. Our goal is to engage our employees in our vision for the company and provide them with meaningful work where they can learn, grow, and be part of solutions that improve the lives of our customers and their communities while protecting the health of our planet. No matter what your job entails, we want you to know that what you do makes a difference.
• Impacting the community and environment: Kwik Lok takes corporate social responsibility seriously, and we appreciate that our position in the industry gives us the ability to help do good in so many areas. We are committed to providing educational and economic opportunity, improving well-being, fostering innovation, and protecting the planet. You can read our most recent Sustainability on our website.
• Work-life balance: At Kwik Lok, we know that in order for you to be your best at work, you need time to recharge as well. Whenever possible, we offer flexibility in start/stop times and even opportunities for remote work. We want you energized at work, and when the day is done, we want you to go home and enjoy your personal life!

ROLE OVERVIEW

Kwik Lok is seeking an innovative and inclusive leader to join our team as our Director of Global Production, being the go-to point person in overseeing our six global production facilities. This position is critical to the successful production of Kwik Lok’s product line, while maintaining high levels of quality and safety standards. This role s to the Chief Operating Officer and champions Kwik Lok Corporation philosophies with dedication to continuous improvement in food safety, quality, and integrity.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS

Strategy

• Think strategically to develop long term plans for production operations that align with Kwik Lok’s overall goals and objectives. Adapt strategies to changing market conditions and emerging trends
• Use appropriate resources, analysis, experiences, judgment, and wisdom to make timely, sound business decisions
• Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team, identifying and addressing innovation risks and opportunities for the company
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for production operations and implement cost-saving measures where possible to improve efficiency and reduce costs across all global plants
• Develop strategies to target a reduction in downtime and improve efficiencies and safety in production processes
• Update job knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations
• Champion corporate social responsibility efforts in support of Kwik Lok’s long range sustainability goals
• Represent Kwik Lok at industry events

Performance

• Facilitate effective global business continuity through resilient SOP and process development
• Collaborate with Plant Managers to ensure SOPs align with local regulations and Kwik Lok quality and safety policies
• Monitor and analyze complex production metrics and KPIs, using the data to bring transparency and visibility to identify trends, opportunities for improvement, make informed decisions, implement corrective actions, and drive results
• Communicate regularly with senior management regarding production performance, issues, and opportunities for improvement
• Keep Plant Managers updated on product development
• Support the effective implementation of new ERP system

People

• Provide goal setting, management, and guidance for all Plant Managers through frequent 1-1 meetings and
• Build cross-functional collaborative relationships to improve processes, tooling, increase efficiency, ensure seamless operations, and the timely delivery of products
• Establish and develop relationships with senior management, stakeholders, and external partners
• Foster and sustain a global culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, where team members are highly engaged, clearly understand the company vision, and are valued for their work contributions
• Demonstrate advocacy for change and champion new ideas, encouraging team members to try innovative approaches to solve key operational issues
• Facilitate consensus, resolve conflicts, and overcome resistance from teams and individuals
• Coach and mentor team members to maximize skills and talent; provide resources for team member development
• Collaborate with Plant Managers at each location, ensuring their production teams are properly trained, motivated and equipped to meet production goals
• Travel to the different locations as necessary to oversee operations and provide guidance

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, MBA preferred
• 15 years of related experience, with at least 5 years in leadership positions
• Background in production or manufacturing
• Project Management experience or certification or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred
• Proficient using project management software (Gantt Pro or similar)
• ERP implementation experience preferred
• Must be able to travel internationally, and willing to work during any hour of the day to accommodate operations done in various time zones
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug and background screening
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Able to be sensitive to different cultures and can adapt management style accordingly. Skilled at building strong relationships with people from different backgrounds and nationalities. Able to lead, motivate, and inspire teams across different cultures and geographies
• Skilled problem solver who is able to identify and develop creative solutions to resolve complex problems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to relate to people at all levels in the organization, and concisely explain technical information
• Ability and experience in establishing departmental goals and budgets
• Seeks feedback for personal development and accepts feedback – both positive and constructive – to improve skills and behaviors

ALL THE DETAILS…

• Pay scale: $116,909 – $154,181.00 per year
• Insurance Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life and Disability Insurance plans (60 day waiting period)
• Retirement Benefits: 401K Plan with company match (90 day waiting period – restrictions apply)
• Paid Time Off: (90 day waiting period, prorated for first year)
  • Vacation: 80 hours a year, with increases based on years of service
  • Holidays: 58 hours a year (7 days): New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following, and Christmas Day
  • Sick Leave: 40 hours a year, accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked for hourly employees, salary employees prorated for first year

• Other Compensation: Employees may be eligible for annual performance bonuses
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
• Location: Based out of Yakima, Washington. Relocation to Yakima, WA or hybrid work may be considered.
• Work environment: Occasionally bends, squats, reaches, kneels, and may lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion. Constantly seeing, hearing, talking. Noise level in office environment 10dB, 85-95 dB in production environment.

To learn more about Kwik Lok, visit www.kwiklok.com.

Kwik Lok is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. We value a diverse workforce and provides equal opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as a veteran. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To view labor compliance information, click here.