Operations Manager

About the role

You will drive the culture and lead the daily activities for a high-volume fulfillment center, working directly with our Associate Director of Operations to build and lead the operational road map for our production and fulfillment center. Your time will be spent managing daily operational logistics, creating a positive workplace culture for 100+ employees, mentoring the leadership team, and driving continuous improvement. This role offers the opportunity to make decisions that impact the company as a whole.

Responsibilities

• Build and establish a strong team with a leadership pipeline; coach and develop talent within each functional area of fulfillment (Kitchen, Prepping, Plating, Food Safety & Quality, and Fulfillment).
• Develop trust, credibility, effective, and collaborative relationships with peers and direct reports.
• Work with managers to execute final Production Scheduling and ensure product quality.
• Lead production area continuous improvement initiatives and direction.
• Develop high standards for execution to meet all KPIs and financial metrics while supporting your team in achieving daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals.
• Ensure adequate communication of company goals and priorities to the Production Center team, including leading monthly meetings to engage and inspire a diverse, growing workforce.
• Drive continuous improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Delivery.
• Create a positive team dynamic that encourages all employees in the production center to:
  • Provide timely feedback to direct/indirect reports.
  • Drive positive change within the facility.
  • Adapt to ever-changing business needs and ensure the team does the same.

Qualities

• Bold: Adventurous, outgoing, and optimistic; confident in making decisions and taking calculated risks.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Visionary, passionate, and imaginative; challenges the status quo.
• Versatile: Adapts easily to change and thrives in hyper-growth, fast-paced environments.
• Analytical: Uses data to drive efficiency and translate numbers into action.
• Team-oriented: Leads cross-functional teams and fosters collaborative partnerships.
• Strategic: Resolves ambiguous or challenging situations using logic and contingency planning.
• Customer-focused: Obsessive about customer experience and delivering a superior product.
• Strong customer service orientation with a willingness to do whatever it takes to satisfy customer needs.
• Effective communicator and leader for employees, direct reports, cross-functional teams, and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to quickly adapt to business needs.
• Willing to work weekends and/or night shifts when needed.
• High level of integrity and ethics.
• Strong continuous improvement skills.
• Excited to work in an environment with high ambiguity and change.

Requirements

• 5+ years of management experience leading an industrial kitchen or production operations center; preferably in food service or food production.
• Bachelor’s Degree required—Master’s preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively motivate, develop, and manage 100+ employees daily—culture is critical to our success.
• Deep knowledge of Lean and Agile Production.
• Comprehensive background in Prepping, Cooking, Plating, Food Safety & Quality, and Fulfillment.
• Interest in spending most of your time on the shop floor and working directly with all levels of staff.
• Demonstrated success delivering new product initiatives in both large companies and start-up environments.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, 401k with company match that vests immediately upon participation, and company equity plan based on role.
• Generous PTO, including sabbatical and parental leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with $0 monthly premium options, effective the first day of employment.
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education (upon 2 years of service).
• Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, EveryPlate, and Factor_).
• Access to 7 different Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), including those for BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company disrupting the traditional food supply chain.