The Wenger Group · 5 days ago
Special Projects Manager
Shippensburg, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
10+ years expThe Wenger Group is a leading Northeast family-owned food and agricultural products organization headquartered in Pennsylvania. They are seeking a Special Projects Manager who will lead operational improvements and deliver high-value solutions across their feed and animal nutrition operations, focusing on waste reduction and process optimization.
AgricultureFood and BeverageManufacturing
Responsibilities
Own shrink and waste reduction initiatives: baseline the problem, design trials, quantify results, standardize successful countermeasures
Deliver durable solutions that convert one-off fixes into repeatable site playbooks
Prioritize and close the highest-value loss drivers for each site
Lead end-to-end special projects at assigned sites: define scope, plan, execute, remove blockers and deliver measurable outcomes on time and on budget
Drive rapid problem-abatement for critical events (quality escapes, major downtime, material losses), restoring stable operations and documenting fixes
Own project benefits tracking and produce clear ROI/impact summaries
Diagnose mill process and equipment constraints, recommend practical process, maintenance and capital fixes to increase yield, uptime and reduce cost
Coordinate with maintenance/engineering to scope upgrades, retrofits and preventative maintenance aligned to total cost of ownership
Translate validated site solutions into scalable standards (Model Mill input): pilot, refine and lead regional rollouts with acceptance criteria and training packages
Produce operator job-aids, leader checklists and simple visual management tools to ensure consistent adoption
Define and own operational KPIs (shrink, waste, throughput, downtime, cost/ton); ensure data integrity and site-level scorecards
Work with analytics to operationalize simple dashboards and provide concise leadership reports
Coach supervisors and frontline leaders to adopt new routines; create short, hands-on training modules and mentor programs
Drive adoption through structured change plans: communication, leadership huddles, coaching checkpoints and quick audits
Ensure all changes meet FSMA, QA and EHS requirements; embed hazard controls and safety checks into new processes. Support audit readiness and corrective action closure during deployments
Integrate work across Operations, Quality, Nutrition, Planning, Transportation and Finance; represent projects in governance forums
Manage external vendors/contractors to ensure quality, scope and cost control
Lead small innovative pilots and capture lessons into the regional improvement library
Feed field-validated recommendations into Model Mill, TOM design and capital prioritization
Be available for frequent deployments (site assignments of weeks–months) and rapid redeployment to priority sites. Work on Special Projects as assigned
Deliver thorough documentation and clean handovers so site/regional teams sustain improvements
Deliver measurable shrink/waste improvements within 30–90 days of first assignments
Progress from site remediation to leading multi-site roll-outs within one year while familiarizing yourself and learning the systems at each milling locations you visit
Qualification
Required
High school diploma required
Minimum of 10 years of experience in feed milling or comparable high-volume manufacturing operations
At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience, including site-level, regional, or cross-functional roles
Demonstrated success leading teams and delivering measurable operational improvements in complex, industrial environments
Strong, practical knowledge of feed manufacturing processes, mill operations, equipment performance, and maintenance practices
Proven experience managing and improving shrink, waste, yield, throughput, downtime, and key cost drivers
Hands-on experience with quality systems, inventory control, production scheduling, and raw material management
Working understanding of animal nutrition principles as they relate to feed manufacturing performance and product quality
Working knowledge of FSMA, SQF, and applicable federal and state feed safety regulations
Practical understanding of manufacturing economics, including budgets, operating costs, and basic P&L concepts
Strong analytical skills with the ability to validate results, quantify ROI, and support data-driven decision-making
Ability to translate operational data into clear insights and actionable improvement plans
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, work effectively without direct authority, and drive adoption of new ways of working
Proven capability to coach supervisors and frontline leaders and align teams around clear goals and expectations
Strong critical thinking and structured problem-solving skills, with sound judgment under operational pressure
Clear, effective written and verbal communication skills with strong cross-functional collaboration ability
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to balance service expectations and operational discipline
Ability to build productive working relationships with internal teams, vendors, and external partners
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and experience promoting a safety-first culture
Consistent alignment with and demonstration of Wenger's Core Values
Valid driver's license and willingness to travel frequently to company and customer locations as required by project assignments
Ability to perform essential job functions in an industrial environment, including lifting up to 60 lbs. regularly and up to 100 lbs. occasionally, working at heights, in confined spaces, and in dusty conditions
Preferred
Associate or bachelor's degree in agriculture, manufacturing, engineering, or a related field
Experience with Laserfiche and manufacturing, maintenance, or production systems
Benefits
Paid Time Off, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Parental Leave, etc.
Carebridge Employee Assistance Program
Medical
Dental
Vision
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Medical Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Pet Insurance
2nd and 3rd shift positions are eligible for a $2/hour shift differential.
Weekend shift positions are eligible for a $3/hour shift differential.
Each team member has the potential to earn a yearly bonus based on the achievement of company goals.
Company
The Wenger Group
The Wenger Group is an industrial firm that focuses on manufacturing food and various agricultural products for its customers.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
David Riley
Chief Financial Officer
Brad Wagner
Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase