Job Description
Job Title: Senior Manager of WBC Operations
Location: Corporate
Department: Supply Chain
Job Summary:
The Senior Manager of Wawa Beverage Company (WBC) leads the daily operations of the Beverage Manufacturing, Sanitation, Warehouse, Transportation, and Maintenance departments. This position ensures the WBC plant and campus operate efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. Key responsibilities include optimizing resources, meeting production targets, maintaining SQF and quality standards, driving continuous improvement, collaborating with union leadership, introducing innovative technologies, and ensuring compliance with workplace and food safety regulations.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Manage all aspects of Wawa Branded Beverages operations, including production, warehousing, sanitation, transportation, maintenance, technology, and campus improvement projects.
- Drive performance and results by monitoring plant performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) impacting P&L, quality standards, capital projects, and employee initiatives. Develop and implement plans to optimize materials, labor, and equipment, ensuring consistent supply of Wawa Branded Drinks to stores and customers.
- Ensure adherence to all quality and regulatory standards, while enforcing robust safety policies for all site associates.
- Achieve monthly P&L targets and develop annual budgets and forecasts. Maintain cost-effective operations without compromising quality or safety. Streamline inventory processes to ensure optimal stock levels for stores and customers.
- Collaborate with union leadership and ensure that all associates work in compliance with our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Oversee Capital Expansion: Lead WBC focused projects and initiatives, including significant capital investments totaling $70M to support new store development and regional sales growth through 2030. Ensure these projects align with Wawa’s long-range plans and are delivered on time and within budget.
- Optimize processes and technology. Identify, define and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality between WBC teams. Drive automation initiatives, simplify workflows, and collaborate with key Wawa departments to implement continuous improvement programs. Stay informed about industry trends, technologies, and regulations.
- Participate in labor contract negotiations at the appropriate time intervals. Foster an engaging, efficient, and safety-focused workplace culture aligned with Wawa’s core values.
- Contribute to the development of the WBC Long Term Strategic Plan to ensure the appropriate operational execution and organizational structure.
- Prioritize best food safety practices by following all processes and procedures and report any food safety issues to the supervisor or manager.
- Comply with all Wawa GMPs, policies and procedures.
- Provide overall direction and manage team. Monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence. Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.
Essential Functions:
- Communicate effectively across all organizational levels, both verbally and in writing.
- Foster alignment and collaboration across departments.
- Translate strategic initiatives into actionable plans.
- Analyze data to develop and implement practical solutions.
- Negotiate effectively with union leadership.
- Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Work both independently and collaboratively.
- Cultivate a positive workplace culture that encourages morale, creativity, and teamwork.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred; Master’s in Engineering or MBA a plus
- Minimum of 10 years of Manufacturing experience.
- In-depth knowledge of production management, union relations, quality control, inventory management, and safety regulations.
- Experience in dairy or beverage processing preferred.
- Proven experience managing unionized environments.
- Proficiency with MES/SCADA system; advanced skills with Microsoft Office suite.
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Prior experience in leading large-scale change initiatives involving cross-functional teams.
Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at asc@wawa.com or 1-800-444-9292.
Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.
