Job Description: US Head of Production

Location: Maspeth, NYC

Reports To: Head of Group Production (Based in Denmark)

Ole & Steen US is on an exciting growth journey. To help us continue delivering quality products to our Retail Bakeries and customers across NYC we are looking for a US Head of Production to lead our passionate production team at our central production unit in Maspeth, NYC. This role is truly at the center of our US growth plans and will fundamentally be an essential part of our foundation.

We operate a demanding and complex production set up which requires skills experience within artisan bakery, confectionary and convenience food production - and process excellence.

Job Overview

Primarily based at our central production unit in Maspeth, NYC, the US Head of Production leads the entire production unit together with a small leadership team (including a Head Baker, a Head Confectioner and a Head of Food Production) to create a continuous improvement culture and optimize processes in order to deliver great and standardized quality artisan products to our entire US market. An essential part of the role is to lead the development of our future production set up to support our ambitious growth ambitions on the US market.

The US Head of Production reports to the Head of Group Production, Lars Nørgaard, who is based in Denmark and is at the same time a member of the US Management Team lead by the VP of US Operations, Sean Truman.

This position is essential in developing and implementing a strong and scalable production set up, building on our current success and you will have the drive and vision to continue this vision to the next level.

You will bring with you the capability to build a strong LEAN (continuous improvement) culture, excellent hygiene and safety standards, focus on training leaders and employees in production methods, optimizing production flows, logistics operations and reducing waste.

Roles and Responsibilities

Production leadership

• Lead the production team – through a combination of being hands on, giving instructions, assessing and providing feedback

• Plan and execute the daily production and logistics operation – in order to ensure right volume and minimize food waste

• Implement new products to the US market according to the global NPI process

• Ensure the right product standards (sensorics)

• Build a strong professional link with the Group Production and Group NPD teams

• Strengthen the cooperation with the Operations team – and our stores – in order to always operate with a “customer first” approach.

• Monitor KPI´s and key figures – adjust and optimize the business unit as needed

• Administrative tasks as required including ordering, scheduling, cost control and logistics optimizations

Production Optimization

· Implementation of LEAN tools and methods, execution and follow-up of LEAN and improvement initiatives critical to the business

· Support the US leadership team and Group Production team to identify improvements within your own remit as well as other areas of the business within your sphere of influence

· Dynamically take the lead in driving a process excellence culture

· Challenging accepted practices and status quo to deliver high quality solutions and cost efficiency

· Implement best in class safety and quality standards

· Ensure the highest hygiene standards in line with US legislation and company policies

Talent Management & Learning

• Manage all production unit recruitment and onboarding to ensure a strong and sustainable people pipeline

• Ensure strong execution through training and follow up sessions at the production plant.

• Support direct reports with regular dialogue on performance and other targeted development activities

Professional Skills

• Demonstrable experience in a bakery and/or food production management role

• Formally trained Baker, Chef, Pastry Chef or Confectioner

• A continuous improvement and business-oriented mind-set

• Demonstrable ability to liaise effectively and build communication channels with colleagues across the teams and the rest of the organization

• Ability to analyze KPIs and other relevant key figures and use them proactively to drive business improvements

• Experience in driving improvement through a deep “hands-on” understanding of the production set up – and the core business.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a good command of the English language.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management (from unskilled production workers to very senior stakeholders)

• Structured and agile at the same time, a proactive driven individual who is comfortable operating at all levels.

• Drive to create improvements and deliver an effective contribution to the group in a challenging environment.

• Self-starter: ability to operate effectively with a positive attitude.

• Analytical: ability to analyze data and observations and turn them into actions that makes a difference in everyday life.

• Teamwork: ability to contribute and collaborate with cross functional teams

• Business oriented and results driven.

We really appreciate a passionate and positive attitude. We would like to attract you, who believe in having great fun while working hard

Working Arrangements

This role is a full-time position which is primarily based at our central production unit in Maspeth, NYC.

The role is based on a 45 hour week and will require a mix of day and night shifts as well as working during weekends and bank holidays and therefore, flexibility is required as part of the role. The production until operates primarily overnight.

You will also be required participate in meetings and other activities with the country management team in central NYC – and a limited number of meetings and training activities in Denmark and therefore, some travel must be expected.