Production Line Manager (Line Leader)

At Ontex, we are making everyday life easier across generations. Worldwide our 5,500 colleagues are taking pride in their work, guided by our values - Passion, Reliability, Integrity, Drive and Everyone. Every day they are developing, producing, and distributing affordable and sustainable baby, woman and adult personal care products.

As a leading international provider of personal hygiene solutions for retailer brands and healthcare partners, founded in Belgium in 1979 and listed on Euronext Brussels, we believe that innovation should be accessible to everyone.

As we continue being Here for you', we're looking for a Production Line Manager (Line Leader) to join our Production & manufacturing team.

Why does this job exist at Ontex?

The Line Manager role exists at Ontex to oversee and manage high-speed, high-volume production lines, ensuring that all operations are executed according to established processes and standards. This role is responsible for driving team performance, ensuring adherence to excellence tools and methodologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Line Manager will be responsible for training and developing employees, leading the team to meet manufacturing KPIs, and driving results in terms of OEE, scrap reduction, and overall production efficiency, all while ensuring safety and quality are upheld at all times.

What am I expected to deliver, and what are my main tasks?

Leadership & Team Management:

• Manage and Lead Line Team: Oversee and manage the performance of all production line associates (operators/packers) across three shifts. Provide guidance and ensure the team consistently follows processes to deliver on all manufacturing KPIs, including OEE and scrap reduction.
• Coaching and Development: Actively coach and develop the skills of operators by performing team skills assessments, providing feedback, and managing training plans. Ensure all employees receive the necessary training to perform their roles effectively and adhere to established processes.
• Promote Process Adherence: Ensure the team follows established processes and work instructions. Foster a mindset of process adherence, focusing on high performance, quality, and safety.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:

• Promote a Culture of Excellence: Utilize Ontex's operational excellence tools (OMEX), including 5S, autonomous maintenance (CIL), performance management, root cause analysis, and more to promote continuous improvement. Ensure all processes are followed precisely to eliminate losses and waste.
• Strive for 0 Accident and 0 Defect Culture: Champion the 0 accident and 0 defect culture. Guide the team to uphold safety and quality principles by following proper procedures and practices.
• Drive Process Improvement: Lead improvement efforts by analyzing data and identifying areas for improvement. Work with your team to implement solutions to eliminate quality defects, reduce OEE inefficiencies, and minimize material waste.

Production and Process Management:

• Daily Production Management: Supervise and ensure daily production processes are followed according to schedule. Collaborate with the Production Manager to assign employees to specific tasks that align with production goals, ensuring compliance with processes.
• Material and Inventory Management: Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure proper availability and management of materials for smooth production operations. Ensure inventory control processes are followed.
• Monitor and Adjust Production Flow: Oversee the production flow to ensure that all team members follow the necessary steps and processes to maintain productivity. Make adjustments where necessary to optimize performance.

Data Analysis & SAP Integration:

• Data Monitoring and Reporting: Drive the execution of OMEX tools, ensuring daily in-process measures (APIs) are met. Use SAP and Microsoft Office products to track and report production results, ensuring all data is accurate and aligned with company goals.
• Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving: Lead root cause analysis on production issues. Work with team members to follow structured methodologies to resolve problems and prevent recurrence. Ensure processes are adapted and followed to address root causes.

Training & Employee Development:

• Train and Develop Employees: Take responsibility for ensuring that all operators and packers are properly trained on the necessary processes, tools, and equipment. Ensure new hires are onboarded effectively and receive training on operational excellence practices.
• Performance Feedback and Skill Development: Provide continuous feedback to employees on their performance. Manage skill development plans and assess training needs to improve competencies and adherence to processes.
• Cross-Training: Facilitate cross-training of employees across the production line, ensuring that they can effectively operate different equipment and adapt to changing production requirements.

Maintenance & Equipment Support:

• Participate in Changeovers and Maintenance: Lead by example during changeovers, repairs, and preventive maintenance activities. Ensure that maintenance processes are followed and priorities are aligned with production needs.
• Issue Identification & Technical Support: Assist operators in identifying abnormalities, ensuring that notifications are opened promptly to support the technical team in addressing issues efficiently.
• Collaboration with Technical and Process Teams: Work closely with the Process Engineer and Technical Leader to address technical issues, implement process improvements, and ensure all actions align with company processes.

KPIs & Production Goals:

• Drive KPI Performance: Ensure the line meets or exceeds key performance indicators, including OEE, scrap reduction, and production output. Use process adherence, excellence tools, and data to drive continuous performance improvement.
• Best Practice Sharing: Foster a culture of knowledge sharing by exchanging best practices across shifts and teams. Ensure consistent implementation of best practices and standard operating procedures across the line.

How big is the job?

This role is responsible for managing the entire production line, including operators, packers, machinery, and various product types. As the Line Manager, you will be accountable for ensuring the team consistently follows processes, delivers high-quality results, adheres to safety standards, and drives continuous improvement in line performance.

With whom do I need to collaborate to get the job done?

AMU Manager, Process Engineer, Maintenance leader, direct reports, Maintenance Shifts Support Technicians, Changeover Technicians, Quality Process Auditor, Safety Manager, Production Planner

How complex is the stuff I'm dealing with, and how do I solve problems?

I encounter differing situations, and solving them requires the identification of the issue, the application of judgment and the selection of a solution from my expertise and acquired knowledge

To solve my issues, I can only rely on general policies, principles and the overall goals of the organization

What do I need to be successful in this job?

Educational and Experience:

• Proven experience in production line management or a similar leadership role within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding and experience with operational excellence tools (OMEX) and a commitment to process adherence, continuous improvement, and waste elimination.

• Strong process mindset and experience operating fast paced machines in manufacturing environment is mandatory

• Experience in training and developing employees, with a focus on building skills and ensuring employees follow established procedures.

• Minimum of high school diploma; college degree preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years prior supervisory experience in high speed, high volume and automated manufacturing environment.

• Experience with lean manufacturing tools preferred.

Leadership and Communication:

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and develop a team that adheres to processes and standards.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with team members, other departments, and leadership.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:

• Ability to identify process deviations and lead teams in following structured problem-solving methods (root cause analysis) to implement corrective actions.

• Data-driven decision-making skills, with the ability to use tools and analysis to drive improvements.

Safety and Compliance Awareness:

• Strong commitment to safety and quality, ensuring all processes and work instructions are followed to maintain a safe work environment and high-quality product standards.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (FDA, OSHA, cGMP) and a commitment to ensuring compliance in all processes.

What is expected for me?

• Working Safely: Making sure not to jeopardize the safety of yourself or others. Working Safely (i.e. not cutting corners or taking risky short cuts; being alert to an unsafe situation; being thoroughly knowledgeable about safety guidelines and equipment; being thoroughly familiar with lock-out procedures).

• Problem Solving and Troubleshooting: Being able to recognize a problem and find the root cause through a logical repeatable process; being able to quickly think through a problem and come to a solution: being able to check things out systematically to find out what the problem is and why it has occurred.

• Striving to Do Well: Being a person who can be depended on to carry out a quality job; feeling accountable and having ownership; striving to do well; taking pride in the quality of your work; willing to improve personal skills and knowledge as warranted by ever changing technologies.

• Taking Initiative and Structuring Work: Taking the initiative when you recognize something needs to be done. being able to decide which activities need your attention first; structuring your time so as to get all the things done that need to be done; skillfully setting priorities to make the best use of your time; planning the steps in a job and organizing tools and resources accordingly.

• Effective Under Pressure: Able to function well in stressful situations; maintaining effective and consistent performance while under difficult circumstances.

• Working Well with Others: Getting along well with co-workers and members of other teams; having good working relationships with others in the area; being able to communicate well; working well with others of different race or gender. Practice Servant Leadership.

• Technical Reading and Using Resources: Being able to read and understand technical materials, such as training manuals and vender instructions; using materials to collect information necessary to troubleshoot and solve a problem.

• Demonstrating Ontex Values: Routinely demonstrated Ontex' values in your behaviors: passion, reliability, integrity, drive for results and teamwork (everyone).

Take the next step at Ontex - apply today!

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