Company Background

Healthy Pet L.P. ( ) with headquarters in Ferndale, Washington, is a successful, growing and profitable middle market company with >$60m in annual sales that manufactures natural fiber absorbent products made from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued plant fiber that helps ensure our planet’s health. Healthy Pet’s products all advance the credo of “best in home ” with natural technologies focused on products that deliver a “Healthier Clean” for every household. Healthy Pet has been the number one brand of small pet bedding made from upcycled cellulose fiber for more than 30 years. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the J. Rettenmaier & Sohne Group (JRS - ), a +145 year old, privately owned, 4th generation family owned company based in Germany, who are committed to the research, development and processing of high-quality, functional organic ingredients and inclusions made from renewable, plant-based raw materials. JRS is the global leader in natural fiber processing technologies with operations in over 25 countries across 14 business units.

Healthy Pet holds a dominant share of the North American market in small animal bedding and is the fastest growing natural fiber cat litter in the USA, which supports JRS as the global market leader in natural fiber litter. Healthy Pet has strong growth ahead with an additional technical fibers plant in the planning process for its Jesup facility along with currently developing a trade goods business unit to leverage their national brands equity and deep marketing and sales capabilities Healthy Pet embraces a culture where each individuals’ unique talents, contributions, and character are leveraged to participate in and contribute to the growth of the business. They are currently seeking a Production Manager for their Jesup, Georgia production facility, for immediate hiring and report to the General Manager based in Jesup, Georgia.

Job Scope

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing personnel and equipment required to safely and efficiently produce quality products. The ideal candidate will oversee all plant production operations and have a deep understanding of Continuous Improvement and Lean manufacturing practices in an environment with high raw material (upcycled fiber) variability. They will have 5+ years of experience in successfully managing production operations with a “hands on” approach to processes and leadership. The final candidate will likely have manufacturing production experience with a company in the $50m or higher range, and possess the ability and skills requisite to grow the Jesup facility to over $125m in output. They will likely have come from a blend of the following industries: pet food and products, CPG, pulp & paper, feed, bedding, wood fiber & pellets, food & beverage and other industries that must keep a keen eye on the consumer. Having worked in a sustainably oriented firm is desirable, but not necessary, but what is required is to steward, develop processes and then refine those SOPs to maximize Safety, Quality, Efficiency and Innovation. However, they must be able to embrace variability in production and understand the impact that variability has on production and final product quality. Specifically, they will be able to clearly and concisely outline specific goals and initiatives to their team and then work effectively to get the job done while improving business processes and team members along the way. This position reports to the General Manager, East Coast Operations, and will be based at their Jesup, Georgia facility.

Key Accountabilities

• Driving a culture of excellence by exemplary leadership, collaboration, and via systems and processes. Ensuring that Healthy Pet employees are treated with respect, provided the tools to excel and are held accountable to the expectations of professionalism and work product.
• Manages production operations with a goal of continuous improvement. Sets and/or communicates short- and mid-term production schedules to meet sales requirements.
• Maximizes productivity, production to raw material ratios, equipment utilization and throughput. Troubleshoots. Minimizes off-specification product. Evaluates raw materials.
• Utilizes statistical process control to ensure quality and maximum productivity.
• Facilitates workforce leveling. Ensures efficient use of crews. Controls and minimizes labor overtime and expenses.
• Manages productivity tracking, labor efficiencies and accountability through data review, data comparison and identification of variances. Follows up on discrepancies.

• Communicates with maintenance supervisor to assist in establishing priorities and necessary production improvements and repairs. Ensures routine maintenance of related equipment on a timely basis. Works with maintenance to schedule down time and maintenance concerns. Minimizes downtime and related maintenance costs.
• Communicates expectations and achievements on productivity and safety in a consistent and timely manner.
• Collaborates with Human Resources and Plant Manager to source and hire personnel as needed and conducts performance evaluations to record and guide the development of direct reports to ensure high performance levels and compliance with Company policies. Initiates, documents and implements disciplinary actions as approved.
• Works with other departments and assists with the creation or updating and implementing of process improvement procedures, tasks, workflows and systems.
• Assists in preparing the production operations budget. Monitors and maintains expenditures within budget guidelines. Implements cost-effective measures and uses resources effectively to increase productivity.
• Ensures strict adherence to safety policies, procedures and regulations throughout the plant.
• Responsible for safety program and keeping up with required training per OSHA guidelines.
• Ensures that all safety procedures are followed throughout the plant and across all departments.
• Responsible for working closely with logistics and warehouse to ensure forecast are followed and the correct product is being produced across all production lines.
• Responsible for working closely with quality assurance manager and adhere to all quality standards.
• Ensures production floor and wet end organization and cleanliness.
• Ensures accuracy of production data input, inventory and production hours.
• Prepares correspondence, reports or other documents.
• Organizes and maintains databases, files, records and other documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Motivations

• Above all, the candidate must have excellent communication skills, the ability to effectively listen, and show and earn respect with all stakeholders. Strong leadership and training expertise.A bachelor or technical degree in process manufacturing, engineering or a related manufacturing operations field is desired, but not mandatory, as experience and leadership skills are the most valuable.
• 5+ years of successful related management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Pet products experience is desirable, but not required. If not, experience in other applicable sectors which dictate attention to end-user expectations and satisfaction. Experience in Pulp & Paper, Animal Feed, Bedding, Consumer Goods, Food & Beverage, Fiber, Pellets and/or Absorbents is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and successful application of lean manufacturing concepts and techniques preferred.
• Proven ability to apply sound judgment, analytical and problem-solving techniques to make reasoned, timely, consistent decisions and facilitate effective problem resolution.
• Works in an office and manufacturing setting. Attends meetings or performs duties outside of normal office hours and may travel by air or car.
• 5-10 years of Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Lean manufacturing experience and training.
• Expertise in developing processes and then refine those SOPs to maximize “Safety First”, Quality, Efficiency, and Innovation.
• A heart for sustainable products and the impact they have on the environment is important.
• Ability to set realistic but challenging goals, measure results and provide leadership to meet or exceed critical deadlines.
• Performing the responsibilities of this position with positivity and alacrity!

Reporting Relationships, Location and Benefits

The Production Manager is based at the company’s Jesup, Georgia facility and reports directly to the General Manager, East Coast Operations, also based in Jesup. They will have overall responsibility of production operations and all FTE and temporary staff in manufacturing. Healthy Pet offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and will relocate the final candidate, as needed.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Brandt A. Handley, Managing Director, ROI Executive Search, E: , T: +1.805.455.2702