Your role
We are looking for a Process Leader role for our plant in Mantova, who will be responsible for refining manufacturing processes, driving efficiency, and upholding a commitment to excellence. This role involves sustaining and guiding the Cell Manager in deploying Manufacturing Excellence capabilities and acting as a key resource for diagnosing and resolving process-related issues to minimize downtime and maximize output. The specialist will work to transition teams from reactive problem-solving to proactive loss prevention and process optimization.
What you will do
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Process Improvement & Loss Elimination: Develop a loss map for cell production lines and define a masterplan to achieve operational targets, with a focus on Autonomous Maintenance (AM) implementation, Change Over optimization, and problem-solving capabilities development. Continuously evaluate and improve existing processes by proposing innovative solutions to enhance productivity and quality.
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Performance Management & Coaching: Contribute to daily operational performance meetings by supporting structured gap analysis and addressing systematic countermeasures. Actively coach team members on loss analysis, standard completion and compliance, and promote a "Run-To-Target" culture.
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Quality & Safety: Implement and monitor quality standards during process improvements and AM activities. Lead structured problem-solving initiatives to drive root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, FMEA) and eliminate defects. Ensure all process improvement initiatives align with safety standards and support the integration of safe practices into maintenance and process tasks.
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Training & Development: Facilitate training and skill development in problem-solving, AM practices, defect handling, and process standardization. Provide technical guidance and training to production personnel on new processes and adjustments.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Cell Manager, Line Leaders, Maintenance and Reliability teams, and other internal departments to ensure seamless process implementation and optimization.
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Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of process changes, test results, and production data. Oversee and drive the systematic deployment of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) methodologies and loss gap analysis, ensuring corrective actions are executed efficiently.
Who we are looking for
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Education: A Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is preferred. A High School Diploma or Technical Degree is required.
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Experience: Significant experience in a process-oriented role within a manufacturing environment is essential. Proven experience as a Process Engineer or in a similar role in a manufacturing environment is also required. The role demands proven success in coaching and leading process improvement initiatives at the cell or departmental level.
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Skills & Competencies:
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Problem-Solving & Analysis: Deep process expertise and a strong analytical approach are necessary. The candidate must have the capability to deploy structured problem-solving methods to address and prevent process issues, along with deep expertise in structured problem-solving techniques and root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, FMEA). Demonstrated ability to analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and implement effective solutions is also a key requirement.
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Coaching & Leadership: Proven ability to coach and develop teams, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, is a must. The role requires acting as a role model for operational standard compliance and a zero-loss mindset.
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Technical Expertise: Experience in conducting loss gap analysis, standardizing operational processes, and deploying an Autonomous Maintenance approach is critical. Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar frameworks to drive continuous improvement is also required.
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Personal Attributes: The ideal candidate is proactive, results-oriented, and has a keen eye for detail. Fluency in Italian and English (written and spoken) is a requirement for the Mantova plant.
What we offer
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Discount on Amazon products
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Affinity University platform: Professional development opportunities for employees at different stages of their career, recognising different career paths.
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Celebration and fun
If you don’t meet all the requirements, don’t worry. We value diverse backgrounds and encourage you to apply anyway. Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed!
We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We firmly believe that embracing a variety of perspectives is essential to the success of our company and the strength of our team. That is why we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.
Our company
Affinity Petcare is much more than an international petfood company. For over 60 years we have been dedicated to nurturing healthy bonds between dogs, cats and people to make the world a better place.
We are very proud of our innovative brands, including Ultima, Advance, Brekkies, Nature's Variety, Nature's Menu, Natural Trainer, Libra and others. Currently, we have more than 1,200 professionals working with this purpose from Barcelona, Paris, Milan and London, as well as 4 production sites with which we supply the more than 70 countries where our brands are present.
So, what are you waiting for? Join our team to make your mark!
Want to know more about us?
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and job opportunities. You can also follow us on Instagram to find out more about life at Affinity and hear stories from our team.
