Operations Manager (Food & Beverage Manufacturing)

Division: Plant    Location Type: On-Site    Location: Pennsauken, NJ, 08110

About the role

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the day-to-day efforts of all aspects of Operations at our manufacturing site, including Operations Performance Managers, Production Supervisors, and affiliated production staff. The role ensures safe production and distribution of consistently high-quality products in the most efficient manner, while complying with government regulations in employee safety, food safety, environmental, and employment practices.

Along with the Plant Manager, the Operations Manager and their team provide leadership, coaching, and training to develop and maintain the competencies, performance, and collaboration of all production and processing employees across all shifts.

Responsibilities

• Provide a team structure that promotes alignment and support among peers.
• Create an environment that flexes to meet business demands while supporting retention and development of team members.
• Manage daily escalations of manufacturing-related issues, working cross-functionally with maintenance and other support functions to drive quick resolutions and root cause problem solving.
• Align manufacturing priorities with company goals and objectives.
• Bridge communication gaps by engaging the cross-functional leadership team to improve performance.
• Deliver business results through teamwork and continuous improvement activities.
• Collaborate with production planning to drive efficiencies and performance across a three-shift manufacturing operation.
• Champion a safety-first culture and resolve safety problems efficiently.
• Maintain labor absorption and adequate staffing across production and processing teams.
• Work collaboratively with Talent Acquisition to evaluate hiring processes, turnover metrics, employee satisfaction, and development opportunities.
• Engage with employees at all levels of production to foster improved communication, understanding, and an environment that embraces change and open dialogue.
• Support quality-related initiatives and actively engage in data analysis to drive improvements.
• Analyze and support capital projects, aiding in the justification of expenditures, including projects to improve operational efficiencies and future business requirements.
• Ensure site compliance with GMPs and guide staff to maintain a food-safe operation.
• Act as interim Plant Manager in their absence.
• Oversee the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of direct and indirect employees, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning work, appraising performance, and coaching employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university preferred; high school diploma required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing people in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of high-volume, high-mix manufacturing experience.
• Experience mentoring and developing staff, supporting workforce development programs, and creating a culture of continuous improvement in both staff and processes.
• Experience supporting, and ideally implementing, manufacturing excellence systems and lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Ability to support a 24/7/365 manufacturing plant.
• Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green or Black Belt) is a plus.

Pay

$150,000 – $160,000 USD