Manager Blending - Woodrow

Johnsonville • Town of New Denmark, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are a leading manufacturer of premium, ready-to-eat link sausages and hot dogs. The company was founded in 2004 by four brothers, Chris, Joe, Mark, and Pete Salm. They partnered their individual talents together to create our organization, using the “partnership” concept as the cornerstone for our success. Since then, we have expanded and have two production plants with over 1,000 partners in Denmark, WI.  In 2023, Johnsonville purchased Salm Partners to help grow not only its own ready-to-eat sausage business, but the ready-to-eat sausage category as a whole.  The combination of the country’s most trusted retail sausage brand (Johnsonville) with the industry leading manufacturer (Salm Partners) has created a world class organization. We are committed to growth as a company and to our partners!   Apply today and discover your opportunity to grow with us.Position OverviewOversees and directs blending, formulation and seasoning activities to ensure safe and efficient preparation of raw meat/poultry blends for subsequent processing. Also responsible for overseeing and directing some sanitation activities in the Blending and Seasoning rooms.  Complies with all safety, food safety, SQF, quality, GMP and USDA-FSIS requirements.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science or related field is strongly preferred.  Completion of a sausage-processing short-courses is highly desirable.
• Prior leadership experience and a minimum of 3 years previous work experience in a USDA-FSIS regulated meat/poultry manufacturing environment is required.  Experience with meat blending operations or ready-to-eat processed meats manufacturing is also required.
• Must possess effective interpersonal communication skills, with strong verbal and written communication skills.  Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as product information, process instructions, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Must have the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Must also have the ability to speak effectively before small groups of partners.  Must listen well, and promote an environment of open communication and collaborative problem solving.
• Must possess strong computer proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, and MAS500 or related integrated manufacturing software system.
• Must have strong basic math skills, with the ability to calculate percentages, scale up/down sausage formulas, calculate fat add-back percentages and do other mathematical calculations inherent to sausage formulation.
• Must have the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, and the ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form.  Strong troubleshooting and root cause problem solving skills are also required.  Strong trouble shooting and problem solving skills are required.  Previous experience applying Root Cause Problem Solving methodologies is strongly preferred.
• While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand for extended periods, walk, sit and talk or hear. The partner is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to 50# on a regular basis, and up to 75# occasionally.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

• Meat technology knowledge and ability to trouble-shoot common blend-quality issues is strongly preferred.
• Experience in formulating sausage to defined fat & moisture levels is highly desirable.
• Experience in incorporating water/fat-binding ingredients (e.g. soy proteins, oat fiber) and inclusions (e.g. individual quick frozen vegetables, cheese) into sausage would be extremely advantageous.
• Experience with formulation optimization software used in the meat/poultry industry is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all formulation and blending activities and performance to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Communicate expected performance results and ensure pertinent production information is disseminated effectively to all shift personnel in a timely manner.
• Review shift metrics with the Partners to maintain awareness of performance to standard and schedule.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all Salm Partners and USDA sanitation and food safety requirements.
• Oversee and monitor the set up and operation of the blending room equipment and processes to meet the blending schedule.
• Oversee and ensure regrind usage from Case Pack is consumed into Blending as scheduled and in compliance with defined requirements.
• Review the daily production reports, tracking and reporting down-time and blends completed; provide summary updates weekly.
• Review and update Standard Operating Procedures; ensure they accurately represent the process in place and are being followed.
• Monitor the production process flow and implement suggestions for throughput improvements; assign and assist with continuous improvement projects as required.
• Participate in test-product planning meetings prior to and after the test runs.
• Confer with Maintenance personnel, operators and helpers to resolve equipment problems.
• Communicate production issues and concerns to the Shift Manager; relay concerns with regard to equipment performance, product quality, safety and food safety to Maintenance and/or Q partners in a timely manner.
• Prepare performance evaluations and provide performance feedback through the review process.
• Address and resolve partner issues through effective coaching and the progressive disciplinary process.
• Identify Partner training needs and seek additional resources as needed to further develop partner skills.
• Monitor Partner work schedules and attendance; manage the time-off request process and report unplanned absences in a timely manner to the HR department.
• Review and approve request for temporary personnel weekly for the following week’s staffing needs.
• Conduct utility knife checks on a monthly basis.
• Conduct periodic Safety Observation Audits and Lockout/Tagout audits to ensure compliance.
• Promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Ensure sanitation duties (e.g. change-over sanitation) are completed as required.
• In absence, shift managers are to cover your role.
• Ensure partner compliance with SOP, SSOP, GMP, and SQF requirements.
• Follow and ensure compliance with all safety rules and regulations per established company policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Full-time Partners at Salm have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support their well-being and future. This includes a 401(k) with a company match, health, dental, and vision coverage, as well as an optional Health Savings Account (HSA). Salm also provides company-paid short-term disability and life insurance policies. Full-time Partners enjoy paid time off (PTO) and the opportunity to grow within a values-driven and team-focused environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager