Director, Operations - Co-Packing , Somerset Facility

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Ferrero is seeking an experienced Director of Co-Pack Operations to lead and manage the entire operational scope of our Somerset, NJ plant. This role involves overseeing production, maintenance, capacity planning, and logistics, as well as leading continuous improvement initiatives across multiple departments. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations and supply chain management, with proven experience in performance management, program change, and organizational development.If you are a strong operational leader looking to drive excellence at a global level, join Ferrero's Somerset team and contribute to our continued success in the confectionery industry.

Please note this is a fully on-site position.

• Operational Leadership: Lead all operational activities in the Somerset facility, which produces 160,000+ QLI annually across 440+ finished goods. Manage production, temporary labor, maintenance, warehousing, procurement, and logistics.
• Strategic Oversight: Ensure seamless production operations, industrialization of new products, continuous improvement, and capital management.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with middle and upper management, both domestically and globally, to align on operational strategy, processes, and improvements. Key interactions include working with the VP of Co-Packing Operations, VP of Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Sales, IT, and various global teams.
• Production & Maintenance: Monitor production efficiencies, manage labor and resource planning, oversee machinery installations and maintenance schedules, and resolve escalated operational issues.
• Capacity Planning: Direct long-term production and capacity planning, address constraints, and ensure smooth packaging flows.
• Inventory Management: Oversee inventory accuracy, ensure appropriate material availability, lead cycle counting efforts, and mitigate financial impacts due to obsolete inventory.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure compliance with FDA and food safety regulations, oversee new product launches, and manage ongoing quality and procurement initiatives.
• Financial Management: Monitor and manage fiscal budgeting, financial tracking, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Leadership & Development: Manage a team of 4 direct reports, 40 indirect reports, and 600 seasonal employees. Set goals, evaluate performance, and foster team development.
• Labor Management: Oversee temporary labor contracts, time clock transactions, and accurate billing of services.
  
  

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, logistics, or supply chain management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SAP (FE3, APO, ECC, WM).
• Strong strategic vision and ability to lead teams.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience in managing large teams and working cross-functionally across various departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you'll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

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