Assistant Plant Manager

AJM Packaging Corporation

Metro Detroit

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of America’s leading manufacturers of paper products, including paper plates, cups, bowls and bags, is seeking a highly motivated Assistant Plant Manager with experience in driving high speed world class manufacturing operations through leading teams, optimizing production processes, and ensuring product quality, safety and efficiency.

We seek a professional with a passion for manufacturing excellence, and a leadership tool set that includes demonstrated implementation in Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, VSM, STD Wk., QCO, TPM, JIT, visual management, error proofing, and kaizen and an enlightened approach to ensuring the top quality of our products. The individual filling this position will have leadership and optimization responsibility for multiple operations areas including production, quality, maintenance, inventory, warehousing, shipping and receiving, and product launch.

• Lead in the planning, coordinating, and managing of the entire plant and its staff in such a manner as to ensure that all company objectives and production goals are continually met.
• Drive a holistic Lean and Continuous Improvement program across the entire facility. Review overall operation and processes. Identify areas for improvement and successfully implement sustainable and quantifiable changes. Act as a change agent for the implementation of process or organizational change.
• In concert with Corporate Maintenance direction, ensure an effective maintenance excellence program for machinery and the facility is in place and adhered to.
• Drive an ongoing customer service focus, with a deep commitment to meeting customer expectations and rigorous OTIF delivery schedules.
• Oversee inventory levels. Order or make procurement requests for any needed production materials, supplies, equipment, tools, replacement parts or similar items.
• Supervise staff, generally to include production supervisors and other functional line managers, in the designating of work assignments, providing instruction, reviewing completed work, and leading in performance management.
• Provide continuous leadership in machine operator and technician training to increase their knowledge, skills, and cross functional abilities.
• Drive behavioral based safety. Ensure that staff strictly adheres to all safety rules, guidelines, and procedures.
• Enforce corporate and plant quality standards are understood, adopted and adhered to.
• Other special projects and duties as assigned from time to time.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Business or Engineering preferred.
• Seven or more year’s operations management experience in 24/7 high volume manufacturing operations required. Paper or other consumer packaged converting experience a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated strength in Lean principles (Black Belt preferred) with ability to drive company wide transformation.
• Strong management, leadership, organizational and administrative skills, able to multi-task and stay cool under pressure.
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to drive and set expectations and ongoing operational improvements.
• Mechanically inclined with strong problem-solving skills.
• Hands on, Gemba management style required.

At AJM, our comprehensive “Cafeteria Benefits Plan” and “Flexible Spending Arrangement” (FSA), truly sets us apart from the competition. Under the cafeteria plan you’ll receive a comprehensive package of fully employer-paid base insurance premiums including medical, dental, optical, life and disability coverage.

• Medical Insurance (BCBS)
• Dental Insurance
• Optical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Cafeteria Benefits Plan
• Flexible Spending Agreement
• Health Savings Account
• Child & Dependent Care Savings Account
• 401 K Retirement Plan (with Safe Harbor Company Match)
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Assistance/Wellness Program
• Paid Vacations
• Paid Holiday
• Paid Sick & Personal Time
• Professional Development Program (AJM University)

AJM was originally founded as a…