Southern States Cooperative Hiring For Assistant Agronomy Operations Manager (#) at Loris, SC, United States Full Time

Job Description

This job description is a summary of essential job functions and requirements necessary for the satisfactory performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and requirements.
General Summary
Oversee daily operations and maintenance at a SSC Seed or Fertilizer plant. Rely on specialized knowledge of operations, warehousing, regulations, and customer requirements to safely optimize plant efficiency. Supervise production and maintenance employees.
Essential Job Functions

• Plan and direct daily production schedules and distribution operations. Schedule production to maximize efficiencies and comply with state and federal regulations. Ensure automated process control systems are fully utilized. Continuously communicate production and delivery schedules with management team and employees.
• Establish production goals, housekeeping standards and other performance related criteria. Communicate regularly with employees to provide leadership and direction. Provide coaching to achieve these goals and standards. Recognize accomplishments and encourage team work. Utilize computer system to monitor and track production metrics.
• Oversee inventory control programs for shipping, receiving, and storage of bulk materials and manufactured goods. Monitor bulk materials inventory to ensure a continuous supply for production. Perform daily review and documentation of ingredients. Lead and assist employees to perform monthly physical inventory. (SEED FACILITY – Establish & maintain procedures for receiving and storing perishable seed material in a manner that maximizes seed viability and minimizes losses.)
• Establish, communicate and enforce Quality Control standards in the manufacturing process and warehousing operations. Lead investigations of off-quality conditions and/or damaged products by reviewing details and providing operations expertise to resolve issues. Ensure employees consistently perform required quality control procedures and meet current regulations and requirements. Maintain documentation and compliance records according to facility operating procedures. (SEED FACILITY – Ensure seed lots are submitted to laboratory for testing, and that each seed lot is affixed with appropriate analysis data prior to shipping to retail locations.)
• Coordinate an effective plant maintenance and improvement program in coordination with facility leadership. Continually monitor plant facility and equipment to identify maintenance needs. Schedule, assign, monitor and track preventative maintenance and repair activities. Ensure the facility operating equipment and all related vehicles are in good working order to minimize down-time.
• Purchase operations and maintenance supplies as needed to ensure a continuous supply and avoid work stoppage. Comply with purchasing policies and maintain cost control by obtaining quotes from suppliers and negotiating competitive pricing whenever possible.
• Oversee staffing of operations and maintenance team members. Coordinate and assign daily work schedules. Partner with facility leadership to interview and hire employees. Maintain appropriate staffing levels based on production needs, including seasonal demand.
• Coordinate training efforts for new hires and current staff. Provide on-the-job training to individuals and groups as needed. Administer personnel programs in coordination with facility management. Establish and communicate performance standards for plant employees. Continuously evaluate performance and provide training to improve skill sets. Administer corrective action as necessary.
• Complete and maintain assigned written s, logs, documents, and review process control system s in a timely manner according to standard operating procedures for documentation. Regularly review production logs and other documentation for completeness and to ensure proper follow-up of issues requiring management attention.
• Lead plant safety by establishing and enforcing safety policies and procedures. Conduct meetings to promote safe work practices and review policy and procedures. Monitor and track employee training and compliance with safety requirements. Work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Administer and comply with OSHA regulations, Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, work rules and policies.
• May assume additional managerial responsibilities during absence of facility manager.
• Perform all other job functions as assigned.

Qualifications
A combination of completed coursework and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Education: Prefer a Bachelor’s Degree in related field, will consider other education with related manufacturing/plant operations experience and demonstrated leadership abilities.
Experience: Requires 2-4 years of related experience in a production environment with 1 year in a leadership role. Prefer operational knowledge of fertilizer processing/seed processing, as well as facility and equipment maintenance. Previous Southern States work experience a plus.
Requirements

• Operational knowledge of fertilizer/seed processing equipment and facility maintenance
• Operational knowledge of fork lift, hand truck, pallet jack, and other specialized industry equipment
• Effective communication skills
• Effective team building skills
• Able to manage and administer Quality Control, Environmental Protection, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and plant policies
• Able to manage various operations simultaneously, including integrating maintenance with production for best efficiency in both areas
• Able to perform data analysis to modify operations for increased efficiency
• Able to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; able to calculate dimensions, liquid measurements and calibrations
• Computer literacy to utilize and operate business and process control systems
• Attention to detail
• Able to speak, read, write the English language in a proficient manner
• Able to complete paperwork, s, documentation, and email communication in a legible, organized, and timely manner
• Able to work in a fast paced team environment
• Able to work extended hours to meet business demands
• Able to plan and manage budget as required for operations
• Able to travel approximately 10% of time

Work Environment
Primarily performs essential job functions in an indoor environment that is not climate controlled and experiences temperature and humidity swings. Job functions are also frequently performed in office environment. Occasionally works in an outdoor environment which may not be protected from weather conditions.
Must utilize stairs to work on elevated floors and mezzanines
Must operate and ride a small enclosed elevator, depending on location
May work on ladders or scaffolding
May work in confined spaces
Frequently exposed to hazards including:

• Moving mechanical parts and vehicles
• Noise levels where hearing protection is optional per PPE Plan
• Dust, odors, and chemicals associated with the processing of seed/fertilizer
• Electrical current, vibrations, fumes, lubricants, and wet surfaces associated with the processing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution of product

Primarily works Monday – Friday, extended hours are required. Occasionally may work an alternate schedule or weekend as determined by business need. Ability to to work in adverse weather conditions is required.
Physical Activities & Requirements

• Continuously balance, stand and walk on concrete; turn and twist head/neck and waist/back.
• Frequently bend, climb, crouch, kneel, stoop, sit, reach with arms and hands; utilize eye/hand/foot coordination; use hands in repetitive motion; manual dexterity (fingers and hands) for keyboard, controls, ingredient packaging, tools, and other production related items; pull, push, lift, carry 10-50 pounds unassisted.
• Occasionally, drive forklifts and other industrial equipment, utilize feet in repetitive motion, stack, shovel and sweep. Pull, push, lift, carry 50-100 pounds, may be assisted.

Must be able to hear equipment sounds, plant pages, co-workers and radio. Must be able to speak to co-workers regarding production and safety. Must be able to utilize sense of smell to identify quality issues with ingredients and products. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Tools & Equipment
Hard hat, steel toed shoes required. Able to operate a fork lift, pallet jack, and hand truck. Able to utilize a handheld scanner, ladder, stretch wrap machine, scale, computer, printer, copier, calculator, manuals and forms, writing instrument, telephone, intercom.
Southern States Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws, or regulations.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, functions and skills required for this job. Functions and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.