MES Operations Specialist

Butterball, LLC, one of America’s most iconic brands, helps consumers celebrate Thanksgiving and every day in between. Located in the thriving Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, our goal is to provide a diverse array of career opportunities and paths which include our farms, processing facilities and support offices.

We are the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S., and we make a lot more than Thanksgiving turkeys. Our company’s measurable growth is in no small part due to our team members in North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri, who each have a seat at the table to contribute to our success

The Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Operations Specialist will play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation and optimization of our Manufacturing Execution Systems.

This individual will oversee the deployment, maintenance, training, and continuous improvement of MES applications to support manufacturing operations.

The MES Operations Specialist will proactively engage with the facility’s floor operations and collaborate closely with the production team(s) to identify and resolve the root causes of inventory inaccuracies.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities :

• Maintains comprehensive documentation for MES processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), configurations, and changes.
• Oversees the deployment and configuration of MES applications to meet production requirements.
• Develops and implements training programs from SOPs.
• Facilitates follow-up audits and monitors team members as needed, particularly during high turnover and onboarding phases.
• Ensures the MES systems are running efficiently, performing regular maintenance and updates.
• Monitors daily scorecards and works closely with Operations to ensure transactional discipline across all areas of production.
• Diagnoses and resolves technical issues related to MES applications, minimizing downtime and disruptions.
• Identifies opportunities for improving manufacturing processes through MES capabilities and implements solutions.
• Provides training and technical support to MES users, ensuring they can effectively utilize the system and supervises access level management.
• Executes on-the-floor audits and maintaining transactional disciplines through clear and transparent communication with higher-level management.
• Conducts on-site observations, performing direct assessments on the plant floor, and executing subsequent follow-ups.
• Ensures accurate and timely data collection, analysis, and reporting within the MES.
• Resolves inquiries and issues related to MES hardware, including scanning, scales, and user-errors.
• Collaborates with Information Technology (IT), Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to integrate MES with other enterprise systems.
• Participates in continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging MES data to enhance production efficiency and quality.
• Monitors, reports, and reconciles 3

party warehouses and Logistics (3PL) inventories.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :

• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Possess the ability to deliver clear and patient guidance to stakeholders while delivering the highest level of customer service.
• Experience in research, data collection, and analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data from graphs and charts.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and quality.
• Exhibits exceptional project management and organizational skills, along with strong multitasking abilities.
• Adept at error tracking and reporting, with the capability to undergo training for data manipulation and effective error resolution.
• Bilingual (English / Spanish) for written and verbal translation is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.) MES software, and enterprise resource plannings (ERP) systems such as SAP.

Education & Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or related field.
• Will consider a combination of education and experience in lieu of a degree.
• 1-3 years of Plant level Operational experience in Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) e.g., quality, production, inventory management, etc. .
• Preferably has a background in training.

Working Conditions :

• Office and Plant work environments. Possibility of being exposed to varying conditions in the Plant setting, such as cold areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions.
• Physical requirements of the position include sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged periods of time.
• Requires up to 60% of the time being spent on the Plant production floor.
• Readiness and flexibility to occasionally work hours outside of normal shift hours base on business needs.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified.

Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Butterball, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military / veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified.

Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Butterball, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military / veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball’s Drug / Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.