Project Manager: manage a food contamination crisis

Meridian Foods is a mid-sized food manufacturing company specializing in snack products like chips, crackers, and granola bars. With five plants across the U.S., it produces over a billion snack units annually. Plant 2 in Ohio is especially important, handling high-demand products and supplying major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger, which together make up a large portion of the company’s sales. The company relies on advanced quality assurance systems and strict safety protocols to maintain its reputation and avoid costly penalties. After a recent recall incident at another plant, there is increased scrutiny on safety and compliance, especially at Plant 2, which is now facing a critical contamination issue that could impact production and key shipments.

As Project Manager, you are tasked with resolving a suspected contamination that has halted a major packaging line at Plant 2. You will engage in focused, one-on-one conversations with the Plant Manager, who is concerned about production downtime, and the Logistics Operations Manager, who is focused on meeting shipment commitments. Your goal is to gather detailed information from each stakeholder, assess the situation, and make a decision that balances safety compliance with operational and logistical priorities. You must mediate between conflicting perspectives and recommend a course of action that aligns with company standards and protects Meridian Foods’ reputation.

• Speak individually with the Plant Manager and the Logistics Operations Manager to collect key information about the contamination and its impact.
• Analyze the information you gather to assess risks and operational challenges.
• Decide on the best course of action to address the contamination, balancing safety, production, and logistics needs.
• Demonstrate strong problem solving and risk management assessment skills through your conversations and decisions.