Founded in 1888, Lee Kum Kee, a Hong Kong-based global food company, specializes in creating condiments and sauces that promote Chinese cuisine worldwide. With more than 200 products to choose from, Lee Kum Kee takes the mystery out of cooking authentic and delicious Asian foods in the comfort of your kitchen. Lee Kum Kee is committed to providing authentic and innovative condiments and sauces featuring the highest quality ingredients. Armed with a unique management culture, stringent quality control, superb and innovative products, coupled with the century-long brand reputation, Lee Kum Kee has achieved unanimous recognition and won numerous prestigious awards.

Lee Kum Kee (USA) Inc., a division of Lee Kum Kee International Holdings Ltd., has its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Southern California with more than 300 employees. We are looking for the best and brightest talents to join our company and work together to bring the next level of success!

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, life insurance covered by the company
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Two (2) weeks vacations
• Ten (10) paid holidays

POSITION SUMMARY

The Contract Manufacturing Manager is responsible for the operational and financial success of contract manufacturing projects, and will drive productivity through strategic initiatives with contract manufacturers. In partnership with cross functional teams, this position will ensures that manufacturing performance, cost objectives and quality goals are met or exceeded to achieve the company’s strategic and financial goals. Reporting to the Sr. VP, Operations, this position requires strong manufacturing and operational knowledge in the food industry and ability to collaborate and influence in cross functional areas internally and externally.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• In collaboration with Procurement to source and identify food manufacturers that meet the requirements including future growth capacities.
• Collaborate with Sales and Strategic Planning teams to identify operational capabilities that will be necessary to profitably operationalize new product development.
• Work closely with R&D and Quality Teams in new production specifications, process setups and production test runs at contract manufacturers.
• Set up and implement company contract Manufacturing programs & procedures according to the requirements of the Company policy and ISO 9001 system.
• Coordinate with Logistics in relation to transportation/logistics activities regarding raw materials, packaging materials and finished goods to/from the contract manufacturers.
• Ensure contract manufacturers consistently meet or exceed delivery schedules and quality standards, and optimize the Company’s capacity and logistics throughput by working closely with Quality, R&D, Production and Supply Chain functions.
• Ensure that contract manufacturers’ contractual obligations are met which include production and capacity commitments, logistics obligations, raw material availability and finished goods quality.
• Communicate and work closely with the Company’s Operations and Supply Chain teams to drive process improvements and changes to achieve supply chain goals and profitability targets.
• Develop, manage and evaluate contract manufacturers’ specific KPIs that measure financial performance, contract adherence, inventory policy and supply chain continuity.
• Working with Contract Manufacturing teams to lead contract manufacturing initiatives that drive sustainable resolution to systematic problems that significantly impact the Company.
• Leads programs and projects using innovative, agile and project management tools and techniques in the strategic development, change management and implementation of contract manufacturing initiatives to ensure the organization’s ability to profitably provide excellent service to internal and external customers.
• In conjunction with the Finance team, drive creation of models to aid in better understanding overall financial performance and value creation.
• Conduct functional and process analysis to ensure alignment across the Company’s ERP technologies to ensure efficient reconciliation among contract manufacturers’ invoices, production and shipment delivery.
• Manage the operational execution relationships with contract manufacturers, coordinate with the Company’s Contract Manufacturing Project team to ensure long-term success.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers on their operational KPI/data needs and work internally to facilitate and drive alignment and execution with those needs.
• Please note that this job description does not contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

COMPETENCIES

• Decision Quality
• Innovation Management
• Drive for Results
• Building Effective Teams
• Motivating Others

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each major responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the major responsibilities.

A. REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS and EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related field from an accredited university/college is required; an advanced technical degree, MBA or related field of study is highly preferred.
• Must have 10+ years of progressive, hands-on, solid manufacturing and project management experience including 5+ years in a contract manufacturing project manager role in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and in managing multiple food manufacturers in California and other states in the U.S.
• At least 3 years of experience with ISO 9001 quality management system and manufacturing facility audit is a plus.
• Proven track record of driving best practices, improving productivity and profitability throughout operations with leading-edge project management practices, innovative use of technology, cost reduction strategies and high-quality investment decisions.
• Experienced in LEAN, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Total Quality Management (Quality Assurance/Control) and similar productivity and preventative maintenance tools and methodologies are required.
• Certified in Lean Six-Sigma, APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and/or Certified in Planning & Inventory Management (CPIM) are highly preferred.
• Experienced in Contract Manufacturing optimization to improve service and cost structure of the business.
• Experienced in establishing and assigning the Key Performance Indicators to contracted food manufacturers; monitoring and evaluating their performance and quality to ensure successful execution and completion of assigned projects.
• Knowledge of problem-solving statistical tools; ability to deal with identification of abnormalities and apply problem solving techniques to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Must be a strategic thinker with confidence and speed in execution; must have good analytical and critical thinking skills; able to define problems through data gathering and analysis, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Strong business partnering and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate across different functions and business partners is required.
• Organized, flexible and easily adaptable to changing conditions; ability to work well in high pressure situations to meet deadlines; follow through and handle multiple tasks/projects.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SAP or any ERP systems.
• Proven leadership skills in building and managing teams with a history of success, and in developing and nurturing relationships with critical partners is required.
• A thorough understanding of diverse work ethics and cultures in international business environments is essential.

B. LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Fluent in English is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills; ability to communicate clearly, accurately and with impact.

C. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ideal candidate must be able to apply statistical & mathematical concepts to perform all related activities.

D. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear.
• Occasionally lift or move products and supplies up to 30 pounds.

E. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This job operates in an office within a manufacturing environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Regularly walk and work in a food manufacturing setting.
• May require up to 50% domestic travel.

It is Lee Kum Kee’s policy to seek and employ the most qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or protected veteran status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.