Director of Operations

Job Summary

We’re looking for a hands‑on, people‑first leader to run the daily operations of our food manufacturing plant. This role is about making things happen on the floor: keeping production humming, leading a strong team, and ensuring we deliver safe, high‑quality products on time — all while building a culture where people thrive. If you enjoy solving problems, mentoring leaders, and turning big‑picture goals into day‑to‑day wins, this could be the perfect next step for you.

• Own Plant Performance:
  Take full responsibility for production, quality, cost, and service goals. Monitor key metrics like yield, throughput, labor efficiency, and P&L, and use them to drive smart, continuous improvement.
• Lead with a Business Mindset:
  Think like an owner. Spot opportunities to reduce waste, cut costs, improve flow, and prepare the operation for growth.
• Run Daily Operations:
  Oversee production, maintenance, and sanitation across 3 shifts. Make sure we’re operating safely, efficiently, and in line with customer demand.
• Champion Safety & Food Quality:
  Be a visible role model when it comes to workplace safety, food safety, and product quality. Keep us compliant with all regulations and industry best practices.
• Develop and Inspire People:
  Directly manage Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation leaders while supporting supervisors and nearly 70 operators across the plant. Set clear expectations, coach for growth, and foster accountability, teamwork, and pride in the work.
• Collaborate Across Teams:
  Partner with Quality, Engineering, R&D, Procurement, HR, Sales, and Customer Service. Whether it’s scaling up a new product, kicking off a new process, or solving a supply challenge, you’ll connect the dots between operations and the rest of the business.
• Drive Continuous Improvement:
  Apply Lean principles and structured problem‑solving to eliminate waste and streamline processes. Lead or support strategic projects like automation, capital improvements, or workflow redesigns.
• Be a Hands‑On Problem Solver:
  When issues arise — whether it’s a production hiccup, a staffing gap, or a supply chain bottleneck — you won’t just delegate, you’ll dive in, find solutions, and keep things moving.

• Proven People Leader – You know how to coach, develop, and hold managers and teams accountable while building trust and engagement.
• Business‑Savvy Operator – Strong grasp of how day‑to‑day plant operations tie to financial results, and you act quickly when metrics slip.
• Data‑Driven Decision Maker – Comfortable using KPIs, reports, and trends to guide actions and priorities.
• Collaborative Communicator – Skilled at working across functions, aligning stakeholders, and keeping communication clear and consistent.
• Detail‑Oriented & Organized – Able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment without losing sight of execution.
• Tech‑Forward Mindset – Open to using modern tools and technology to improve efficiency and workflows.

• PPO or HSA medical benefits with Employer Contributions.
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability insurance.
• 401K with a competitive company match.
• 8 Holidays, Vacation accrual, PTO program, Parental Leave.
• Attendance, Safety, Service Awards.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Uniform and Boots provision.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Chaplain Program.
• Smart Dollar.
• Company Events and Luncheons.
• Paid Volunteer Days.
• Referral bonuses.