Purpose of the Position

Rotates through multiple functional areas, learning to lead assigned operations and employees in compliance with all Federal and State Regulations and company policies and procedures.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.

Supervises assigned operations. Approves and coordinates all aspects of plant performance, product quality, and administration of all company programs, policies and procedures in a cost efficient fashion. Ensures sanitation has been performed correctly, customer specifications are met, and that all positions are covered prior to the start of the shift. Ensures operations are running efficiently with minimum downtime. Demonstrates excellent problem solving, decision making multitasking and prioritizing skills. Maintains inventory records and requisitions of ingredients/supplies as necessary to meet delivery schedules. Evaluates materials and products to maintain organizational standards.

Supervises and directs the activities of employees at assigned operations. Works to maintain discipline, teamwork and safety among employees at assigned operations. Demonstrates the ability to lead and direct others, assign tasks and responsibilities, and monitor work performance. Involved in the screening, interviewing, and selection of candidates. Assists with shift scheduling, clock-ins, vacations, and time off of line employees. Maintains a favorable working relationship with all employees to promote a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement.

Supervise Hatchery operations. Manages day-to-day operations as assigned, to include egg setting, chick processing, sanitation, and the embrex process. Supervises all processes throughout the hatchery to ensure compliance with all Federal/State regulations and company's policies and procedures. Ensures production is run in a timely and efficient fashion. Demonstrates sound decision-making ability in moving employees to different positions to ensure optimal performance while ensuring labor costs are kept under established budget.

Learns to supervise Feed Mill operations. Manages day-to-day operations as assigned, to include grain receiving, pelleting, whole corn-grinding, batching and mixing of the feed to ensure an unadulterated, wholesome and quality product. Supervises shift performance while demonstrating a commitment to employee safety, product quality and compliance with all relevant regulations. Works with the Quality Assurance department to ensure all feed ingredients are being applied and tested properly to meet required standards.

Learn to service farms. Trains with assigned service technician. Assists farms in following proper procedures for efficient farm management, ensuring production of the highest quality meat at the lowest cost for the processing plant. Follows a schedule for the weighing, feeding, spray vaccination medication and good husbandry of all the flocks. Performs numerous checks in farms at various times of the day to ensure animal welfare.

Learns to supervise Live Haul operations. Directs and motivates catch crews to handle birds in a professional and humane way consistent with company animal welfare guidelines. Develops an understanding of handling, loading and transporting birds to maintain a low DOA, bruising and truck shrink. Assists the Live Haul Manager and Assistant Manager in developing crew schedules, coordinating third party haulers and contract crews, and ensuring proper equipment is available.

Communicates at all levels in order to meet production expectations. Learn to communicate at all levels in order to maximize production of the highest quality at the lowest production cost possible. Collaborates with the functional areas including Human Resources, Safety, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Finance and Shipping. Will learn to coordinate with team members and lead direct reports to produce products that meet customer, company, and FDA/USDA requirements.

Manages and utilizes various production reports. Checks daily production against customer requirements. Interprets, understands, and manages reports within responsible area such as throughput, yield, etc. Meets production requirements while maintaining appropriate line speeds and efficiency ensuring quality products. Accomplishes all paperwork in accordance with established time frames or record keeping requirements.

Emphases a safe work environment. Trains to promote a safe work environment. Understands safety requirements and compliance with all policies and regulations set forth by Simmons, OSHA, or various government agencies concerning safety, environment, handling of food products, packaging, ingredients and any related items. Ensures goals are achieved while demonstrating a commitment to employee safety, teamwork and quality.

Create a continuous improvement culture . Develops a continuous improvement culture in order to improve processes and is continuously finding ways to drive out waste. Accomplishes quality performance which meets or exceeds all line, department, facility, company, and USDA/FDA guidelines or grading process for a total quality program and customer relations.

Manages employees. Directs and supervises employees' work activities and monitors work performance. Collaborates with Human Resources to screen, interview and hire candidates. Administers disciplinary actions and recommends performance improvement actions in collaboration with the HR Manager. Monitors work performance and recommends compensation decisions based on guidelines. Follows Simmons values to develop and maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees. Promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement.

Participates as a member of the Team . Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons' established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position's role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Must be able to work in extreme temperatures such as hot or cold, and dusty environments. Work on feet for the entire shift as necessary. Must be able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds.

Travel: Rotates between facilities within a 75-mile radius. Travels occasionally for training purposes.

Technical Experience: Willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction required. Must be able to read and write English. Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resource management, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Must be familiar with computers and be proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Industry Experience: Poultry, feed milling, or similar background.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree or 4 years related work experience with a minimum of 1 year experience in a leading role included in the 4 years related work experience

Preferred Education: N/A

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.