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Ice Cream Associate Manufacturing Manager

Job ID:
R-53405
Category:
Supply Chain
Location:
Covington, TN
Date posted:
03/13/2025
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Looking for Your Dream Job? Join our Ice Cream Team!

If you want to work for a global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023, come join Unilever Ice Cream! The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Magnum, Talenti, Popsicle, Good Humor, Klondike, and Yasso. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent as we build our diverse and inclusive culture. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organization. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

JOB PURPOSE:

Find your purpose at Unilever. Lead innovations that drive our business to win and grow. Learn from brilliant leaders and diverse colleagues in a global environment, becoming your best self.

The Manufacturing Cell Lead is a management professional with a good technical understanding of manufacturing, general or chemical engineering.  They have proficient mechanical skills and display excellent personal qualities. This role provides the governance function for a cluster of semi-autonomous teams, delivering management and leadership support for performance monitoring and continuous improvement.  The Cell leads provides a common standard of communication and engagement across the factory and will liaise closely with the core factory functions. This includes Manufacturing, HR, Quality and Safety. She/he will lead project work to support factory initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(NOTE:  The duties listed below are normal for this job. Incumbents are cross-trained and may perform any combination of the following duties/responsibilities.  These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.)

  • Effective mechanical skills supported by detailed knowledge of the end to end manufacturing processes relevant to their operation and endorsed Good Manufacturing Practice.  Knowledge of chemical and electro-mechanical processes and principal factory controls (eg for HPC; Spray drying, soap making, DEFI making, Batch & Continuous mixing of Liquids and Bottle, sachet, bar and pouch filling machinery); preventative maintenance schemes and condition monitoring (eg vibration analysis) and Hazardous Area Equipment and Hazards specific to operation; online/remote diagnostics to connect with category technical experts.
  • Utilize appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products and equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team.  Full knowledge of hazards in the workplace.
  • Reduce costs due to waste and minimize impact to health, safety and the environment through working to eliminate waste and through the correct management of waste and hazardous materials.
  • Promote the development of a highly effective team through the establishment of a positive team climate supported by authentic leadership and clear communication. 
  • Facilitate technical improvements using WCM improvement tools.  Able to coach Technical Operators and semi-autonomous teams to build team performance.  
  • Makes governance decisions for the semi-autonomous team and adjudicates on unresolved team issues.  Sets the strategy for Continuous Improvement and Preventative Maintenance in her/his area guided by loss trends and direction provided by the Manufacturing Manager. 
  • Apply rigorous Cost Deployment and the Zero loss concept to eliminate losses. High skill level in Continuous Improvement that is aligned closely with World Class Manufacturing.
  • Identify, prioritize and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate recurrence.
  • Apply core knowledge of Quality skills; Quality Measurement, Prioritization, Improvement, Assessment and Certification etc to sustain Quality standards in the factory operation.
  • Coordinate business resources and apply risk management processes.  Keen sense of prioritization and ability to influence change.  Resolve conflicts where identified.
  • Timely and accurate administration for a cluster of teams; shift rosters, pay, performance, training and safety.  Liaise with Sourcing Unit leads to ensure policy compliance.
  • Prepare work plans within resource constraints and review implementation to drive improvement
  • Understand the business needs for change and innovation.

Qualification Requirements:

  • Degree in either an Engineering discipline or a strong technical background with 2+ years of experience managing teams
  • Practical experience of applying preventative maintenance and autonomous maintenance strategies within a manufacturing or general engineering
  • Candidates must be able to analyse factory and technical processes in order to identify opportunities for performance improvement. Strong coaching skills are a pre-requisite; enquiring, supportive, challenging.
  • Experience of operating with semi-autonomous or autonomous teams.
  • Master’s in engineering or related discipline a plus

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

SKILLS: Leading improvement projects for operational processes, Cell Leads have a strong understanding of the end to end manufacturing process.  This includes the chemical and electro-mechanical processes and controls.  She/he is able to interpret technical diagnostics, identify key issues and process risks.  Cell Leads possess the leadership skills to act with speed and rigor.

Cell Lead must display excellent personal qualities and be business aware. He/she will understand the factory’s financial situation and will use this to support the team’s focus. Skills for problem solving innovation and coaching are central to the role. Training in WCM methodologies will ensure the Cell Lead is proactive in activating and sustaining business improvements, to drive the semi-autonomous team’s work to counter losses and eradicate waste.

LEADERSHIP: 

  • You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team delivers with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.
  • You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.

  • Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
    • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others.
    • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.
    • TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best.
    • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
    • CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time insidea and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
    • BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change.

Pay:Thepay range for this position is$83,200 to $124,700.Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.  

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.  

Benefits:  Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

What We Can Offer You

Culture for Growth | Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits | Every Voice Matters | Global Reach | Unilever: Life | LinkedIn | Strategy | Unilever | Why work for Unilever | Careers at UnileverUnilever Global Website | Check Out Our Space

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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