Performance Leader - Packaging

Salem MFG
673 Highway Jj
Salem, MO 65560, USA

The Performance Leader - Packaging serves as a key people developer and operational leader, focusing on building high-performing teams through comprehensive employee development programs. This role is responsible for creating and implementing training pathways that take employees from initial onboarding through advanced cross-functional expertise, while maintaining optimal operations. The Performance Leader serves as a key people developer and operational leader, focusing on building high-performing teams through comprehensive employee development programs.

This role is responsible for creating and implementing training pathways that take employees from initial onboarding through advanced cross-functional expertise, while maintaining optimal operations.

• Onboarding & Initial Training.
• Design and implement structured onboarding programs for new operation team members.
• Create individualized training plans based on skill assessments and position requirements.
• Monitor new employee progress and adjust training approaches as needed.
• Ensure proper safety and operational procedure training from day one.
• Skill Development & Cross-Training.
• Develop comprehensive cross-training matrices for all operation positions.
• Identify high-potential employees for advanced skill development.
• Create and maintain skill progression pathways for each role.
• Implement mentorship programs pairing experienced operators with developing team members.
• Track and document employee certifications and capabilities.
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate cross-functional training opportunities.
• Performance Management & Career Development.
• Conduct regular one-on-one development discussions with team members.
• Set clear performance expectations and development goals.
• Provide ongoing feedback and coaching for continuous improvement.
• Lead formal performance reviews and development planning sessions.
• Create improvement plans for underperforming employees.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the operations team.
• Operational Leadership Responsibilities:
• Team Management.
• Maintain optimal staffing levels through strategic scheduling.
• Monitor and improve attendance patterns.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Lead daily shift meetings and team communications.
• Manage conflict resolution and team dynamics.
• Assist with continuous improvement efforts by embracing Lean and Six Sigma tools that will ultimately provide control plans that will have to be written and communicated via S.O.P. documents.
• Strong mentoring and coaching abilities.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to develop and deliver training content.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities.

• Regular shift schedule with flexibility for training needs.
• Available for all shifts during training periods.
• Occasional weekend availability for development programs.

• Active presence on production floor for hands‑on training.
• Ability to demonstrate operations tasks.
• Capable of working in various environmental conditions.

• Employee retention rates.
• Cross‑training completion percentages.
• Performance improvement statistics.
• Team member advancement rates.

• Preferred bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Operations or a related field.
• 5+ years of direct management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Must be a result driven leader within a time‑sensitive environment.
• Must be a strategic thinker, planner, able to drive continuous improvement and achieve results.
• Must have strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, motivational, and communication skills which can be demonstrated in an everyday work environment.
• Firm understanding of KPI’s and delivering results.
• Experience in developing and planning forecast and executing operating budgets.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers including MS Outlook, Excel (i.e. pivot tables, formula, conditional formatting etc.), and Word.
• Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing experience.
• Possess high professional ethics, dependability, good judgment and ability to take decisive…