Director of Manufacturing at AJM Packaging Corporation in Southgate, Michigan

Job Description:

Director of Manufacturing

AJM Packaging Corporation

Metro-Detroit, MI

Salary: $175,000 - $250,000

Bonus:  Performance Based

Position Overview -

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of converted paper products, including a broad range of both plain and printed paper plates, cups, bowls and bags of various types and sizes, is currently conducting a nation-wide search for an exceptionally talented and highly accomplished professional to lead its manufacturing operations strategically located throughout the continental United States.  Domiciled at our flagship plant in Southgate, Michigan and reporting directly to the company COO, the successful candidate will also be responsible for Production Planning & Control, Quality Assurance, Safety, Compliance, Maintenance & Repair, New Product Development and Capital Expenditures.  Our customers, including both traditional brick and mortar and e-commerce retailers, as well as wholesalers and distributors of all kinds, are very fussy, and that’s just the way we like it.  They want what they want, when they want it, and excuses don’t cut it.  They want their orders delivered complete and on time with OTIF scores in the high 90 percentiles and DPMO’s under 3.4.  That, in short, would be your mission should you decide to accept it.  This position will require relocation to Detroit, MI.

Responsibilities & Duties -

• Bottom line responsibility for all manufacturing operations, facilities and personnel.


• Manufacturing, Production Planning & Control, Quality Assurance, Safety, Compliance, Maintenance & Repair, New Product Development and Capital Expenditures.


• Develop, monitor and approve annual manufacturing budget, take corrective and/or remedial action based on thorough analysis and review of monthly budget variances.


• Work cross-functionally with key stakeholders to meet all manufacturing as well as corporate goals and objectives and optimize corporate performance and customer satisfaction.


• Hands-on participation in the recruitment, hiring, onboarding and training of all key manufacturing personnel and, occasionally, others as necessary and appropriate.


• Supervise, manage and direct daily activities of manufacturing management team and all functional department heads (i.e. Quality Assurance, Production Planning & Control, Engineering and Maintenance) and utilize Performance Management System to establish individual goals and objectives, track progress and evaluate performance.


• Work collaboratively with COO, CFO and VP Sales & Marketing within the framework of a robust Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) system to forecast sales and ensure the requisite bill-of-material inputs, production time and distribution network are available to satisfy demand and deliver all orders complete and on time.


• Expand, relocate and modernize company’s manufacturing facilities and overall footprint, as necessary and appropriate, to minimize operating and distribution costs and build a world class manufacturing network.


• Key role in OEM and related ancillary machinery and equipment specification, sourcing, evaluation and purchase as well as new product development.


• Champions continuous and, when practicable, step change improvement in all manufacturing operations and pursues manufacturing excellence employing various Lean tools and other advanced methodologies, including but not limited to Kaizen, 5S, 6 Sigma, VSM, TQM, TPM, Process Mapping and Root Cause Analysis.,


• Defines, establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of the organization’s operations.

Minimum Requirements -

• Bachelor's degree (B.A) from an accredited four (4) year college program in business, engineering or related field, graduate level degree a plus but not required.


• 10 -15 years of progressive manufacturing experience, preferably in fast paced, high volume, FMCG’s or similar manufacturing environments, with at least four (4) years in management with multi-site experience.  


• Additional academic and/or job-based training, experience and certifications in Lean and World Class Manufacturing (WCM) processes, including, but not limited to, Kaizen, Kanban, Six Sigma, 5S, TPM, PDCA, VA/VE, VSM, SMED and SPC required.


• Keen eye for talent and the ability to teach, coach and mentor team members and future leaders.


• Must have prior knowledge of, working experience with, and previous responsibility for commonly used monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and budgets as well as budget variances and related corrective/remedial processes.


• Confident, but not arrogant, “can do” attitude and demeanor, delegates, when necessary and appropriate, but instinctively “trusts” and “verifies”, demanding and uncompromising but always fair and equitable, passionate and driven agent for continuous improvement, change and success.


• Should be “hands-on”, hard-working, self-motivated being self-directed and should rarely need to be “coached up” and/or redirected.


• Strong management, administrative and organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and stay cool under pressure.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate to and work with both internal and external customers, alike, at all levels.


• Must be creative, resourceful and flexible in responding to ever-changing company and/or customer driven initiatives.


• Intermediate to Advanced level Microsoft Office 365 skills (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Benefits -

At AJM, our comprehensive “Cafeteria Benefits Plan” and “Flexible Spending Arrangement” (FSA), truly set us apart from the competition.  Under the cafeteria plan you’ll receive a comprehensive package of company paid medical, dental, optical, life and disability insurance coverage.

Summary of Benefits –

• Medical Insurance (BCBS)


• Dental Insurance


• Optical Insurance


• Life Insurance


• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance


• Cafeteria Benefits Plan


• Flexible Spending Agreement


• Health Savings Account


• Child & Dependent Care Savings Account


• 401 K Retirement Plan (with Safe Harbor Company Match)


• Tuition Assistance


• Employee Assistance/Wellness Program


• Paid Vacations


• Paid Holiday


• Paid Sick & Personal Time


• Professional Development Program (AJM University)

About Us -

AJM was originally founded shortly after the Korean War as a distributor of commercial paper, plastic and foil packaging products and related cleaning, janitorial and order processing supplies and equipment by three (3) Detroit area brothers operating out of a small warehouse in Detroit’s Eastern Market.  In 1957 they built and moved into slightly larger quarters on Detroit’s southwest side, where, for the very first time, they began manufacturing their own products.   Over the ensuing decades, AJM gradually evolved from its broadline distributor beginnings into a major paper products manufacturer, today employing nearly 3,000 people and operating eight (8) manufacturing and five (5) warehouse/distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States.  

Some things have undoubtedly changed since AJM was founded, but the company’s commitment to its customers and employees, alike, has not wavered and is deeply embedded in its DNA.  So, too, is the founding brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit, “can do” attitude and singular focus on the value proposition that has fueled the company’s success from the very beginning.  We’re still family owned and operated, still manufacturing our products in the good old USA and still providing our customers with the same reliable service and quality products they’ve come to expect from AJM for more than 75 years now.    

Career Development -

At AJM, we realize we will only go as far as our employees can take us and, for that reason, we invest millions of dollars every year on both classroom and on-the-job training to develop our employees’ skills and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.  There are no barriers to impede your progress here and no ceilings to halt your advance.  You’ll control your own destiny, and we will help you reach your full potential with both in-house development programs and tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level college studies.  Join our team and see where your AJM journey takes you!

For More Information -

Visit our website at www.ajmpack.com or call (833) 562-7256

Equal Employment Opportunities -

AJM Packaging Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or other legally protected status.

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