Director of Plant Operations

Job Description

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 

Lead Manufacturing. Develop Leaders. Drive Results.

Are you a proven manufacturing leader who knows how to balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day execution? Do you enjoy building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and creating operational excellence in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? If you're energized by solving complex challenges, driving continuous improvement, and leading through people, Palermo's has an opportunity for you.

We're looking for a Director of Operations to lead manufacturing execution across our Canal Street facility. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership for our Bakery departments while partnering across the plant to ensure alignment, consistency, and execution of operational priorities. You'll play a critical role in delivering exceptional performance in safety, food safety, quality, delivery, cost, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.

While most companies that sell pizza have no real connection to Italy, Palermo's passion for food and family reaches all the way back to the country where pizza was born. "Papa Palermo" carried the cherished recipes to America from Sicily.

Today, we're one of the nation's fastest-growing frozen pizza manufacturers, producing both our own award-winning brands and private label products for customers across the country. Innovation, quality, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

• Lead manufacturing operations across multiple production departments and shifts to safely and efficiently execute production plans.
• Translate business strategy into operational priorities that drive customer satisfaction and business performance.
• Develop, coach, and mentor Bakery Supervisors while building leadership capability throughout the organization.
• Create a culture centered on accountability, engagement, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Drive results across safety, quality, productivity, labor, waste, delivery, and cost.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing initiatives that improve efficiency, equipment effectiveness, and manufacturing performance.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Warehouse, Quality, Supply Chain, HR, R&D, and Finance to align operational priorities.
• Lead capital projects, organizational initiatives, new product launches, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage operating budgets and manufacturing resources to maximize operational performance.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence on the production floor by coaching leaders, removing barriers, and supporting daily operations.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading managers in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
• Strong experience managing operational budgets, KPIs, and manufacturing performance.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and develop future leaders.
• Outstanding communication, collaboration, and executive leadership skills.
• Food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods experience is strongly preferred.
• MBA, Six Sigma, or Lean certification is a plus.

• Love developing leaders and helping teams achieve ambitious goals.
• Enjoy balancing strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership.
• Thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments where priorities shift quickly.
• Use data to make decisions and continuously improve performance.
• Build strong partnerships across departments to solve complex business challenges.
• Lead with accountability, integrity, and a servant leadership mindset.
• Believe great culture drives great operational performance.

Located in Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley, Palermo's Canal Street campus is home to our corporate headquarters and one of the most advanced frozen pizza manufacturing facilities in the country.

Our state-of-the-art operation features highly automated production lines, an on-site bakery, robotic packaging systems, and a 24-hour shipping and receiving operation—providing the technology and scale needed to support continued growth and innovation.

• 20 FREE pizzas every month
• Competitive salary with annual incentive opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning the 1st of the month after hire
• 401(k) & Roth with company match and immediate vesting
• Paid Time Off plus a Floating Holiday
• Leadership development and career advancement opportunities
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

This is a full-time, salaried leadership position based primarily on 1st shift . You'll spend significant time on the production floor supporting operations and developing leaders across multiple shifts. Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required to support business needs and ensure operational excellence.

We believe the best leaders build great teams, develop people, and create an environment where everyone can succeed. If you're ready to make a lasting impact on our operations, our people, and the future of Palermo's, we'd love to meet you.