Director of Operations

Director of Operations Chicago, IL (relocation assistance offered on a case-by-case basis) Compensation: 225K – 275K + bonus potential About the Role 56-year custom food processing manufacturer is looking for a Director of Operations to take full ownership of day-to-day operations at its Chicago location. This is a newly created role, and it was built specifically to bring dedicated senior operational leadership to a facility that does everything by hand This role will own the P&L and lead the full operation across quality, safety, supply chain, distribution, and manufacturing with roughly 7 direct reports and 75 hourly employees across 2 shifts. The right person will have an entrepreneurial mindset , thrive without a instruction, and be comfortable making decisions on the fly in a fast-moving organization where no two days look the same. This is not a role for someone who has spent a career running long production runs at a large manufacturer. This operation is boutique with a high mix of handcrafted products. Responsibilities Own the full day-to-day operations of the facility including manufacturing, quality, food safety, supply chain, logistics, and HR partnership Drive site P&L performance including gross margin, EBITDA, and working capital Develop and execute annual operating plans, capital budgets, and long-term strategic initiatives Lead and develop a senior leadership team across operations, quality, safety, and supply chain Ensure full compliance with SQF, HACCP, USDA, FDA, and customer quality and food safety standards Build organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, and talent development Present financial and operational performance updates to the President and ownership Requirements BS/BA required, ideally in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a closely related field. MBA, Master's degree, PMP, or related advanced certifications are a plus 10+ years of senior leadership experience (Plant Manager, Director, GM, VP, etc) in food manufacturing is required Demonstrated success leading a manufacturing plant with full P&L accountability Strong financial acumen with P&L understanding and the ability to make sound operational and business decisions Experience working with ownership, and c-level leadership Analytical, data driven and strong background with ERP, MS office and related systems; Redzone experience is a plus Executive presence with the ability to lead through influence, accountability, and collaboration Compensation and Benefits Performance-based bonus opportunity Medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) with company match Relocation assistance available for the right candidate Travel up to 25% as needed This is a role for someone who is ready to run a business, not just manage a department. If you have the experience, the presence, and the drive to lead a full operation and help shape the future of a growing food processing company, apply now and let's talk.