Regional Operations Manager

Regional Operations Manager

Ecowize USA St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States

About this position

Why Ecowize?

At Ecowize North America, we go beyond cleaning food production facilities — we safeguard public health and drive operational excellence. As part of our team, you’ll join a mission-driven organization committed to food safety, innovation, and people development. If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and make a measurable difference, this role is for you.

Your Role: Regional Operations Manager (Sanitation)

As a Regional Operations Manager , you serve as a pivotal multi-site operational leader and a developing pipeline to the Area Manager role. Overseeing a focused portfolio of sanitation sites within a designated region, you will ensure top-tier service delivery, regulatory compliance, client satisfaction, and team performance. Reporting directly to the Area Manager or Division Manager, you lead Site Managers and their teams while managing a lean span of control.

This role combines direct multi-site operational management with tactical deployment responsibilities. In addition to managing your assigned sites, you will serve as a flexible operational partner — deploying to other regions or areas to launch new site start-ups, support operational turnarounds, or step in as an Acting Area Manager during vacancies or extended leaves.

Key Responsibilities

• Multi-Site Operational Leadership: Lead sanitation operations across assigned facilities to deliver consistent, high-quality, and compliant service.
• Site Manager Coaching & Development: Coach, mentor, and develop Site Managers and site leaders to build high-performing, accountable teams aligned with safety, food quality, and operational standards.
• Rapid Deployment & Start-Up Support: Deploy to new client locations to lead site start-ups, establish operational cadence, implement SSOPs/SOPs, and onboard site leadership.
• Interim Area Management & Coverage: Serve as an Acting Area Manager or support neighboring regions/areas during leadership vacancies, extended leaves, or high-priority operational initiatives.
• Audit Preparedness & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure site readiness for regulatory (USDA/FDA) and 3rd party audits (SQF, BRCGS); facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal cross-functional teams (HR, Quality, Safety, Finance, OPEX) to drive efficiency, resolve operational issues, and implement best practices.
• Financial & Resource Management: Monitor site budgets, KPIs, labor usage, chemical consumption, and resource allocation to achieve financial and operational targets.
• Culture & Accountability: Foster a safety-first culture of continuous improvement, open communication, and frontline engagement.

What Success Looks Like: Core Competencies

We’re looking for a leader who:

• Drives Results: Achieves goals through persistence, precision, and ownership across multiple site environments.
• Develops Talent: Coaches and invests in Site Managers and frontline supervisor growth and career progression.
• Adapts & Deploys quickly: Thrives in fast-paced environments, adapting quickly when stepping into new sites, regions, or interim leadership roles.
• Thinks Critically: Analyzes site performance issues, solves complex operational problems, and uses data for smart decisions.
• Communicates Effectively: Builds trust with clear, candid, and audience-aware communication across diverse teams and client leadership.
• Collaborates Across Teams: Works seamlessly with cross-functional partners and site teams to create consistent operations.
• Builds Relationships: Partners with client leadership and internal teams to foster mutual trust and long‑term success.

Our Values in Action

• Partnership: You build relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared goals — with clients, colleagues, and frontline teams.
• Excellence: You uphold high standards, follow SOPs, and lead your teams to deliver consistent, high-impact outcomes.
• Integrity: You do what’s right — even when it’s hard. You lead with accountability, fairness, and courage.

What You Bring

• Experience: 5+ years of operational leadership experience in food manufacturing, sanitation, or food production environments (multi-site experience preferred).
• Developing Leadership Capability: Demonstrated track record of leading, mentoring, and developing site-level managers and supervisors.
• Sanitation & Food Safety Expertise: Strong working knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations, GMPs, SSOPs, Allergen Controls, and GFSI audit standards (SQF/BRCGS).
• Safety Leadership: Proficient in workplace safety standards including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), HAZCOM, PPE protocols, and chemical handling.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English): Required for effective communication and leadership across diverse teams.
• Technology Skills: Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Learning Management Systems (LMS), digital quality management systems (e.g., eQMS), and workforce management platforms (e.g., Rippling).
• Mobility & Flexibility: Proven ability to travel extensively, adapt to shifting regional priorities, and support off-shift operational needs.
• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Remote / Field-based within designated region
• Travel: Up to 70% – 80% (ability to travel within assigned region and deploy to other areas/regions as required for start-ups, coverage, or support)
• Schedule: Must be flexible across shifts (days, nights, overnight, and weekends based on site start-ups, audits, and operational needs)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off & holiday pay
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• Professional development & clear career advancement path toward Area Manager roles

Your Future Starts Here

At Ecowize, we believe in growing together. Whether you’re climbing the leadership ladder or helping others do the same, we give you the tools, training, and support to succeed. We're proud to be a launchpad for people who want purpose, security, and a future they can count on — no degree required.

If this sounds like your next step, we’d love to hear from you.