Operations Manager

Position Profile Location: Lebanon, Pennsylvania Position Title: Operations Manager The Opportunity This is a rare, ground‑floor leadership opportunity to shape the launch, growth, and long‑term success of a newly established U.S. manufacturing operation. The business has already experienced substantial commercial growth in the States, expanding rapidly over the past several years. You will be the central operational force bringing this U.S. production capability online—overseeing the buildout of the initial leased facility (bag making, slitting, and injection molding) while simultaneously preparing for a major greenfield manufacturing site planned for the near future. Your leadership will directly influence how the U.S. operation functions, grows, and evolves. Early contributors who immerse themselves in the business, drive performance, and help scale the operation are recognized and rewarded meaningfully within the organization. For a driven, hands‑on, technically strong operations leader, this is an opportunity to build a factory, build a team, build a culture, and build a legacy. The Company The organization is a globally established manufacturer specializing in advanced flexible packaging solutions, with deep capabilities in extrusion, bag-making, and printing. It serves critical food‑industry sectors including meat, poultry, seafood, and cheese, and also supports printing/conversion and personal care packaging markets. The company has made strategic investments in the U.S. market and is committed to long‑term domestic manufacturing expansion. This new production facility represents one of the most significant growth milestones in the company’s history. Employees who have joined early in the expansion effort highlight a culture of loyalty, high performance, and strong financial recognition for individuals who meaningfully contribute to growth. The company takes pride in taking care of those who take care of the business. The Boss The Operations Manager will report directly to a senior global operations leader who oversees operational activities across the organization. This leader expects the hire to function as the primary on‑site authority—responsible for building infrastructure, organizing operations, and ensuring alignment with global leadership. He is known for giving significant autonomy, trusting strong operators, and advocating for top performers. The Position The Operations Manager will lead all activities required to establish, stabilize, and scale the organization’s first U.S. production site. This is a highly hands‑on role suited for a leader eager to build something substantial—from recruiting the first manufacturing employees to optimizing workflows, managing vendors, and ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations. Initial responsibilities include standing up and managing the leased facility that will house bag making, injection molding, and slitting operations. This site will form the foundational team and capability base feeding into the future greenfield facility. As the organization grows, this position will evolve—potentially expanding into a broader leadership scope as the manufacturing footprint, team, and operational complexity increase. Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned): Lead and support the full setup of the new U.S. production facility (initial leased site and future greenfield plant). Recruit, hire, and onboard the initial manufacturing team. Build and manage relationships with local vendors, suppliers, and service providers. Oversee daily operations and supervise production staff to ensure high productivity and efficiency. Develop and implement procedures, workflows, safety systems, and operational standards. Take on multiple roles as needed in a startup‑like environment, demonstrating flexibility and hands‑on leadership. Serve as the primary liaison to global leadership, providing continuous feedback and ensuring alignment on progress and long‑term operational objectives. Support future expansion efforts, including the scaling of equipment, personnel, and systems. Qualifications Proven experience in operations management or production supervision, ideally within flexible packaging or a related manufacturing environment. Strong entrepreneurial mindset with the desire to operate in a dynamic, evolving, startup‑like environment. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership capabilities. Experience managing vendors and external partners. Hands‑on leadership style with the ability to balance strategic and tactical work. Comfortable serving as the primary on‑site authority and liaison with global headquarters. Education and Experience Engineering degree or related technical education preferred but not required. Extensive relevant industry experience may be considered in place of formal education. Competencies Leadership & People Management Operational Planning & Execution Problem‑Solving & Decision‑Making Technical Aptitude Vendor & Stakeholder Management Process Development & Continuous Improvement Safety & Compliance Oversight Adaptability in a fast‑moving environment Strong Cross‑Cultural & Cross‑Functional Communication Work Environment The initial environment will be a startup‑style operation within a leased facility focused on bag making, injection molding, and slitting. The environment will require hands‑on involvement, active oversight of early operations, and the flexibility to take on multiple operational roles as the team is built. This facility will serve as the springboard into a new, purpose‑built greenfield facility that will greatly expand capabilities and scale. Compensation A competitive, experience‑based compensation package will be offered, aligned with the strategic importance of the role. The organization is committed to rewarding top contributors and investing significantly in the right foundational talent. #J-18808-Ljbffr