Operations Manager, Bakery

Client : Well-established bakery manufacturer Title : Operations Manager, Bakery Salary : $140,000-$160,000 Location : Swedesboro, NJ Job Description Currently partnered with an industry-leading commercial bakery manufacturer to hire a Senior Manager, Bakery Production for a flagship facility in Swedesboro, NJ. The Senior Manager, Bakery Production will lead manufacturing operations at a high-volume bakery facility, driving performance across safety, food quality, production throughput, waste reduction, and team development. This individual will play a critical role in executing operational strategy, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and building a strong culture of accountability and engagement. Responsibilities Lead daily manufacturing operations in a 24/7 production environment Drive performance across safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and labor efficiency Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with broader business goals Champion continuous improvement initiatives involving line speeds, changeovers, and process optimization Manage departmental budgets, labor planning, and resource allocation Coach, develop, and lead high-performing production teams Ensure compliance with GMPs, regulatory requirements, and audit readiness standards Support capital projects, digitization efforts, and future capacity planning initiatives Qualifications Bachelor’s degree preferred 5–7+ years in food, beverage, bakery, pharmaceutical, or other GMP-regulated manufacturing environments 3+ years of plant leadership experience (line-level or area-level leadership acceptable) Experience leading within a 24/7 production environment Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills Proficiency with SAP, Excel, and operational reporting/analytics Ability to interpret schedules, procedures, safety standards, and present effectively to teams Preferred Experience Direct bakery production experience (mixing, proofing, baking, packaging) Lean / Six Sigma / Kaizen or other continuous improvement training Experience supporting capital projects or major line upgrades Spanish language skills a plus #J-18808-Ljbffr Vaco Recruiter Services