The Hershey Company

Business Unit Leader

The Hershey Company$90K — $120K *
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline preferred.
  • 5 years of manufacturing experience or equivalent work experience.
  • 3 years in a leadership role preferred.
  • Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, FSMA, and OSHA standards.
  • Familiarity with budget creation and cost controls, SAP or similar ERP experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure a culture of safety for employees and compliance with OSHA and FDA regulations.
  • Lead teams to eliminate manufacturing failures through project execution.
  • Coach and develop supervisors to enhance efficiency in manufacturing operations.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet business objectives.
  • Oversee annual budget preparation and maintain budgetary control.
  • Assess departmental performance and articulate improvement plans to leadership.
  • Manage employee relations and improve engagement through consistent floor presence.

Benefits

  • Career advancement opportunities within The Hershey Company's global network.
  • Access to continuous improvement initiatives and training for personal growth.
  • Opportunities to relocate and broaden experience across various facilities.
  • Engagement in a culture that values employee well-being and safety.
Full Job Description
Job Location: Robinson, IL

Summary:

The Hershey Company Robinson plant is a Non-Union plant producing products such as Heath, Payday, Whoopers, Mild Duds, Reese's Pieces, Mounds, and Almond Joy in a high-speed complex environment.

The Business Unit Leader, reports directly to the Site Operations Leader and serves as a member of the Plant Leadership Team, and is responsible for providing production leadership to [area(s) of responsibility]. This role has full responsibility and accountability for all aspects of managing a Business Unit, including but not limited to: people safety; food safety; quality; budgeting; service; people leadership; maintenance; and project implementation.

This role is also responsible for daily and long-term plant and company goals by providing proactive, efficient, and reliable leadership for one to three shifts in a seven-day working environment, while effectively collaborating at all organizational levels within and outside of the plant site.

Demonstrated success in this role over 3-5 years can provide career advancement opportunity to compete for higher level roles within the Supply Chain, including Plant Manager at other facilities within The Hershey Company's global network. Depending on size and complexity of the site, this role is usually directly responsible for approximately 100-200 employees as well as development, management, and delivery of approximately $100M-200M annual budget.

Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for ensuring a culture that places high value on employee safety and food safety. This also includes compliance to OSHA and FDA regulations.
  • Independently leads teams and executes projects to eliminate root causes of manufacturing failures.
  • Coaches, directs, facilitates, trains, and develops supervisors to work efficiently while supporting the manufacturing mission.
  • Effectively work as part of or lead cross-functional teams to deliver against business objectives.
  • Oversees the annual budget preparation, directs the implementation, and maintains strong budgetary control of direct, indirect, and unit costs.
  • Ability to make department assessments, identify problems, develop solutions, as well as articulate a plan to Plant Manager, peers, and direct reports that yields performance improvements.
  • Ensures effective employee relations, measured at least in part through the annual employee engagement survey results specific to the assigned Business Unit. This should be accomplished through significant floor time and consistent application of work rules.
  • Demonstrates genuine concern for employees' well-being.
  • Coordinates, organizes and delivers communication activities, concerning objectives, results and plans within and between the department and all other plant functions. Makes necessary judgment calls on specific goal alignment to achieve manufacturing excellence.
  • Accountable for performance management of salaried staff. Ensures appropriate employment decisions and issue resolution through proper investigation and involvement of key stakeholders.
  • Responsible for management, development and/or assessment of training plans that ensure all members of the department are aligned with company, plant, and department objectives. Leads and maintains the team as a world-class organization.
  • Primary owner of the Continuous Improvement process within the Business Unit in support of goals and objectives of The Hershey Company. Accountable for adherence to defined processes and systems.
  • Responsible for determining appropriate delegation of assignments, ensuring follow up and taking ownership of the delegated assignments.


Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

  • High energy, enthusiastic, positive attitude
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Team building skills
  • Ability to inspire and provide excellent leadership to broad and diverse workforce teams, including supervisors and large hourly teams
  • Ability to overcome resistance to change, adapt to change, and lead change
  • Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
  • Possesses the hunger and humility to learn
  • "Hands on"/lead by example type of approach to provide leadership and problem solving in a high-speed manufacturing, team based environment
  • Proven track record of ability to positively motivate others and deliver business results with a high level of urgency
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision making skills
  • Budget creation and application of cost controls
  • PC skills: SAP, Excel, Word, Power Point, social media, and other contemporary internet tools, etc.
  • SAP or other ERP system skills a plus
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and OSHA standards
  • Possesses a desire to advance and grow career
  • Willingness to consider future assignments within and outside of Manufacturing and/or to relocate within The Hershey Company to broaden your experience, develop your career, and to fill critical business needs


Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline is strongly preferred.

Experience:
  • 5 years of experience in manufacturing or equivalent work experience preferred
  • 3 years in a leadership role preferred


#LI-MH2

#LI-Onsite

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company Careers

Join the sweetest team on earth at The Hershey Company, a global leader in chocolate and sugar confections. With a rich heritage of innovation and leadership, The Hershey Company offers unparalleled job opportunities in an environment that champions diversity, creativity, and growth. Work You’ll Do Embark on a fulfilling career journey with The Hershey Company, where you can contribute to a range of exciting projects that help shape the future of the confectionery industry. At Hershey, you will work alongside a diverse team of professionals who are passionate about delivering joy through their products and innovations. Transform your professional life by engaging in roles that leverage your unique skills and aspirations. Whether in marketing, research and development, production, or sales, each position at Hershey is designed to foster leadership and professional growth. Lead with Innovation At The Hershey Company, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From creating delightful new treats to enhancing our sustainable practices, our team is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the confectionery space. Join a company where your ideas and leadership can make a tangible impact on our products and processes, driving growth and excellence in the industry. Explore Career Opportunities The Hershey Company is committed to nurturing talent and providing its employees with the tools they need for success. Explore a variety of job opportunities and internships that can help you build a rewarding career. Our positions are designed to challenge your skills and help you grow as a professional. Be Part of Our Culture Experience a company culture that values teamwork, integrity, and respect. At Hershey, we believe in creating an inclusive environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in our everyday operations and the positive atmosphere our team members enjoy. Benefits and Growth Invest in your future with The Hershey Company’s comprehensive benefits package, designed to support your health, well-being, and financial security. Embrace opportunities for career advancement through professional development programs and continuous learning initiatives. Networking and Professional Development Enhance your career prospects through Hershey’s robust networking opportunities. Connect with industry leaders, participate in global conferences, and engage in diversity training programs that prepare you for leadership roles within the company. Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests on The Hershey Company’s careers page. We are looking for passionate, innovative, and driven individuals to join our team and help us continue our legacy of success and leadership in the confectionery industry. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest career tips, company news, and industry insights—all from the people who work at The Hershey Company. Subscribe to our careers blog and personalize your job alerts to find out about the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await you at Hershey. Explore, innovate, and grow with The Hershey Company. Discover how your career can flourish in an environment dedicated to nurturing talent and celebrating success. Join us and be part of a team that’s making a difference in the sweetest way possible!
Learn more about The Hershey Company
Size
16,620 employees
Market Cap
$48.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1894
5 Year Trend
+3.8%
Revenue
$8.1 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at The Hershey Company

More Food & Beverages Jobs

Find similar Business Unit Leader jobs: