Operations Manager

Operations Manager – Food Manufacturing (Denison, IA) Salary: $115,000 – $130,000 per year About Us A growing food manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day‑to‑day production and manufacturing operations at its Denison, Iowa facility. This hands‑on plant leadership position is for an operations professional who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and can drive results through people, processes, and performance metrics. The Operations Manager will oversee production execution, develop frontline leadership, and partner across plant functions to improve safety, quality, cost, yield, labor efficiency, and customer service. Why Join Us Strong company culture. Competitive compensation package – base + bonus. Comprehensive employer‑paid benefits package. Professional development and growth opportunities. Responsibilities Provide leadership and direction across daily manufacturing and production operations. Lead through production managers, supervisors, and frontline leaders to achieve plant objectives. Drive performance against key operational KPIs, including safety, labor, yield, efficiency, quality, cost, and delivery. Evaluate production performance and implement corrective actions when operational targets are not achieved. Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, and create more efficient manufacturing processes. Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the operation. Partner with Quality and Food Safety teams to maintain compliance with plant, customer, and regulatory requirements. Promote a proactive safety culture focused on safe behaviors, risk reduction, and continuous improvement. Develop, coach, and mentor plant leaders while building a strong internal talent pipeline. Improve employee engagement, accountability, retention, and overall team performance. Use operational data and manufacturing trends to identify performance gaps and drive business decisions. Support equipment, capacity, and capital planning based on future production requirements. Partner cross‑functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other plant departments. Standardize processes and establish operating practices that support consistent execution. Balance immediate production challenges with longer‑term operational and strategic priorities. Build a culture centered on teamwork, communication, accountability, and continuous learning. Qualifications 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within a food manufacturing or food processing environment. Previous experience overseeing production or plant operations within a high‑volume manufacturing facility. Demonstrated ability to lead through supervisors, managers, and other frontline leadership. Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, including labor, yield, cost, efficiency, safety, quality, and production output. Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence initiatives. Knowledge of food safety and regulatory environments; USDA, FDA, OSHA, SQF, and/or BRC experience is highly valued. Proven success developing teams, improving accountability, and building stronger plant leadership. Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical improvement plans. Strong communication and relationship‑building skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization. Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, Operations, or a related field preferred. Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered. To apply, click the “Easy Apply” button. Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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