Head of Plant Operations

Location: On-site in Meriden, CT  

Reports to: President of Operations  

Type: Full-Time, Exempt  

Travel: ~20–30% (company meetings, site visits, vendor trips) 

About PopUp Bagels  

PopUp Bagels is not just a bagel company—we’re a cultural movement. Our stores are small, our vibes are loud, and our energy is contagious. From signature neon and iconic bullhorns to our “Not Famous but Known” mirror, we’ve reimagined not just how a bagel is created, but how it’s enjoyed: Grip, Rip and Dip! With a cult-like following, massive social presence, and unparalleled collaborations with top companies, partners and Brand Ambassadors PopUp Bagels is defining a new food lifestyle brand. We keep things simple, but we do them really, really well. And our customers agree.  

The Role  

We're looking for a Head of Plant Operations to lead our Meriden, CT bagel and cream cheese production facility. This facility is the foundation of what makes PopUp thrive each day. This is a senior leadership role with full ownership of the plant: from the moment raw materials come through the door to the second finished goods ship out to shops around the country.  

Here is what makes this role different from other operations roles: we're building something big, and we’re building quickly. The right person for this role isn't just an operator; they're a true builder. A problem-solver who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and create solutions, a leader who earns trust on the floor just as easily as they collaborate with the executive team, someone who can set the strategy and then go make it happen.  

This role is the bridge between the production floor and our leadership team, and you'll have the autonomy to shape how we operate, how our people grow, and how we scale. If you are the driven leader who thrives in fast-moving environments and always find a way, then this is the role for you.  

What You'll Own  

• Run the Facility. You're the senior decision-maker on-site. When things get challenging, you're the one who figures it out. You'll provide operational oversight across Warehouse, QA, Sanitation, Equipment Maintenance, Cream Cheese Production, and Bagel Production. You'll establish SOPs, build production schedules, drive throughput targets, and continuously sharpen how we operate.  
• Lead People Who Make an Impact. Building a strong team culture is at the core of this role. You'll recruit, develop, and retain a workforce that makes a genuine impact at PopUp Bagels. You'll coach your middle and senior managers, build out training programs, and create an environment where accountability and recognition go hand in hand. Our hourly workforce is the backbone of this operation, and how you show up for them defines everything.  
• Own the Numbers. This is a full P&L role. You'll manage production costs, labor efficiency, waste reduction, and capital planning. You'll partner closely with Finance and Accounting on budgeting, forecasting, and period-end reporting, and you'll regularly present facility performance to senior leadership. You find ways to drive savings without compromising quality, safety, or people.  
• Drive Supply Chain Alignment. Work directly with our VP of Supply Chain to align production schedules with material availability. You'll oversee raw material procurement planning, inventory controls, warehouse operations, and ensure FIFO and food safety standards are never an afterthought.  
• Lead Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance. Champion a food-safety-first culture across every part of the facility. You'll ensure full compliance with FDA regulations, FSMA requirements, HACCP plans, and third-party audit standards (SQF, BRC). You will partner with the President of Operations to maintain rigorous in-process and finished product quality standards, and move fast when something doesn't meet the bar.  
• Collaborate Across the Company. You'll represent plant operations in company-wide leadership meetings and collaborate with Distribution & Logistics, Supply Chain, and corporate leadership. You'll translate what's happening on the floor into insights that shape strategy, and you'll bring executive decisions back to the team in ways that resonate and motivate.  

Who You Are and What You Bring:  

We're looking for a leader who is genuinely:  

1. A scrappy problem-solver. When something breaks at 7am or a key ingredient is backordered, you find a way. You're resourceful, calm under pressure, and put in the time to figure it out.  
2. A trust-builder. Your team respects you because you've worked to build trust, not because of your title. You're on the floor, you know people's names, and you follow through on what you say.  
3. A galvanizing leader. You set a direction, you get buy-in, and you bring your team along with energy and conviction. People want to work hard for you because they know you'll do the same for them.  
4. Equally at home in an exec meeting and a packing room. You can build a financial model in the morning and troubleshoot a line issue in the afternoon. You don't ask your team to do what you're not willing to do yourself.  
5. Built for ambiguity. PopUp is growing fast and not everything is figured out yet. You see that as an exciting opportunity where the future is limitless.  

You bring:  

1. Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master's degree (MBA or MS) preferred. Equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience will be considered.  
2. 10–15 years of progressive plant or manufacturing operations leadership, with at least 5 years in a senior or executive role with full P&L accountability.  
3. Experience leading operations in both lean, entrepreneurial/startup environments and larger, high-volume facilities.  
4. Proven track record of building high-performing, multi-department management teams.  
5. Prior food and beverage industry experience strongly preferred; dough-based, dairy, or yeast-based product experience (baked goods, spreads) is a significant plus.  
6. Familiarity with food safety regulatory frameworks: FSMA, HACCP, GMP, and third-party audit standards (SQF, BRC, AIB).  
7. Strong financial acumen with budget development, cost analysis, P&L management.  
8. Working knowledge of production cost drivers, manufacturing KPIs, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Production Excellence, or equivalent).  
9. Experience partnering with corporate finance, supply chain, and distribution in a matrixed organization.  
10. Availability and willingness to be on-call on weekends and off-hours to respond to facility disruptions or emergencies.  
11. Proven success implementing capital improvement projects that drive efficiency.  
12. A history of building positive, rewarding workplace cultures for hourly workforces.  

Physical Requirements  

The following physical requirements are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with qualifying disabilities.  

1. Ability to walk, stand, and move throughout a large production facility for extended periods during daily floor presence and inspections.  
2. Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures (refrigerated dairy areas, warm bakery environments), moderate to loud noise levels, and exposure to flour dust, dairy ingredients, and food-grade cleaning agents.  
3. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required.  
4. Must be able to wear required PPE, including hair nets, beard nets, gloves, and safety footwear when on the production floor.  
5. Ability to use standard office equipment (computer, monitor, phone, conferencing technology) for extended periods.  
6. Occasional travel to corporate offices, franchise locations, or external meetings (estimated up to 30%).  

PopUp Bagels is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

We do not discriminate based on race, age, ancestry, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related condition, unemployment status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, domestic violence or sexual violence victim status, national origin, citizenship, disability, covered veteran and/or military status, genetic information, familial status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. PopUp Bagels conducts pre-employment screenings in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and utilizes E-Verify to confirm U.S. employment eligibility.  

The duties of this position may change from time to time. PopUp Bagels reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at its discretion. This posting describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not intended to be all-inclusive.