Management Trainee

The Management Trainee will learn all aspects of the Plant Operations. This position is intended to help transition a high potential individual into a leadership role within the plant.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Responsible for observing all Company safety rules and regulations, recognising safety as top Company priority and conducting/participating in regularly scheduled safety meetings with plant staff.
• Expected to support the management team in ensuring industrial safety hazards and unsafe employee behaviours are corrected.
• Will spend time with or engage in each Operations role to learn how the plant fits together: from raw material collection, efficient conversion through the plant, to finished goods inventory shipments.
• May be required to perform any hourly function for a period of time as the plant requires.
• May be required to train hourly employees to properly execute any job at the facility.
• Learn the supervisors' paperwork and shift reporting. Fill in for supervisors during absences.
• Must gain an understanding of supporting functions including health and safety, logistics, financial, plant/fleet maintenance reliability, quality, food safety, capital projects, inventory, financial, environmental, indirect/direct purchasing, HR workflows, among others.
• Learn and assist with all aspects of maintenance including good preventive maintenance techniques as well as breakdowns and repair.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts in all areas of responsibility.
• Work with the General Manager as annual plant budgets are developed and reviewed against monthly expenditures.
• Observe development and maintenance of relationships with raw material suppliers, including issue resolution and learn new supplier acquisition.
• Responsible for achieving individual and department targets, goals and objectives.
• Once plant operations skills have been developed, will work in different departments to gain perspective: marketing, sales, customer services, merchandising, personnel, etc.
• Will adhere to guidelines of formal written training program and attend periodic evaluations. Must achieve a passing score in all areas to continue in the program.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in agriculture, engineering, industrial management or related field AND 1 or more years of related experience; military experience or internship preferred.
• OR In lieu of college degree, HS diploma/GED and 4-5 years of plant/production management experience; military experience/background a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the rendering industry a plus.
• Experience in continuous improvement, including 5S, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing concepts a definite plus.
• Work well with others in a team-based environment.
• Communicates clearly both verbally and in written form; excellent analytical skills.
• Leadership ability, able to direct personnel; makes timely, accurate judgments regarding production and process quality.
• Requires minimum supervision; makes timely, accurate judgments regarding production and process quality.
• Highly organised; superior time management skills.
• Experience working in Microsoft Office Suite as well as an ERP system (ex. Oracle, SAP).

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, and crouch.
• Frequently must push, pull, move or lift up to 50 lbs.
• Regularly required to reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment

Job functions will be carried out in a plant environment which requires tolerance for high heat and/or cold temperatures as well as an office environment.