Operations Manager

Job Description – Operations Manager, Global Operations Location: Sycamore • Grade: 5 • Date: 2/13/2026 Reporting Structure: Reports to Plant Sr. Manager; Line Manager’s Line Manager VP of Operations Americas. Direct Reports: 5 – Granulator Supervisor, 2 Production Supervisors, Sanitation Supervisor & Warehouse Supervisor. Key Relationships: Maintenance, Engineering, Scheduling, EHS, Logistics, and Quality teams. Role Purpose The Operations Manager will be responsible for the organization, planning, direction, and control of production, sanitation and warehouse, and shipping and receiving at the Sycamore facility. The incumbent provides technical expertise to maintain, continuously develop, and improve processes to minimize cost, ensure safe operation, high product quality, and desired plant availability, while committing to a service level that meets and exceeds employee, customer, and client expectations. Main Accountabilities Effectively manage hourly and supervisory reports in the safe and efficient operations of Dry Product Blending lines, Granulation Dryer line, Shipping/Receiving/Warehousing & Sanitation to achieve outlined performance metrics in areas of Safety, Quality, Production, Efficiencies, and Employee Development. Continuously improve plant safety culture and performance by ensuring corporate/plant safety policies and procedures are followed, positively communicating and remediating safety issues, and leading the Plant Safety Committee. Model and instill T&L values within the team. Partner with the site Quality Assurance team to achieve outlined KPI’s for plant quality results. Operate as the operational leader in site audits and in determining root causes and corrective actions for supplier issues or quality complaints to minimize reoccurrence opportunities. Lead continuous improvement and teamwork initiatives, gathering full involvement and participation of all available resources, streamlining processes, reducing excess consumption, and minimizing overall costs. Work with engineering, maintenance, and operational teams to identify and implement improvement projects around safety (ergonomics), cost reduction, and efficiency. Lead and manage multiple challenging assignments concurrently with decisiveness and collaboration. Coordinate with the maintenance department to schedule required PMs and maintain production equipment with minimal line downtime. Participate in J2E meetings as an element owner, ensuring that all criteria are completed and updated, and capturing information in Benchmark. Conduct internal audits; attend fire drills, emergency evacuation exercises, and other safety trainings as a leader within the Emergency Preparedness team. EHSQ Authority Index (AI 1-8) 1 – Element owner 2 – Element support 3 – EHSQ committee member 4 – EHSQ strategy definer 5 – EHSQ strategy promoter 6 – Benchmark data manager 7 – Internal communication owner 8 – EHSQ critical role Salary range for this position: $90,100 - $150,100/yr. All Employees Responsibilities Compliance with procedures that implement the requirements of the EHSQ policies and procedures. Responsible for their own actions. Carry out work that does not present a risk to themselves, others, or the environment. Report all incidents, defects, hazards, and inadequacies of procedures for review and corrective action. Suggest improvements and engage in general system and method improvements for safety, environmental, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Strategic Management Responsibilities Share overall responsibility for leading, modeling, and area accountability of adherence to global/local EHSQ policy and procedures. Communicate leadership and commitment visibly. Ensure knowledge and skills to apply EHSQ systems and standards. Allocate resources to progress toward Te & L’s environmental, health, safety, and food safety policy goals. Ensure the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the EHSQ system. Participate in determining objectives for risk assessment and EHSQ aspects. Understand lifesaving and product protection principles. Competencies, Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Qualifications Planning and organizing with a positive safety mindset. Understanding of GMPs, standard safety policies, food safety protocols, and HACCP. Continuous Improvement, auditing, financial acumen. Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization’s success. Talent Development: Developing people to meet career and organizational goals. Basic knowledge in EHSQS & behavior. Knowledge of J2E principles. Data analysis and interpretation; gap identification and solutions. Communication skills. Use of SAP, Workday, and advanced Microsoft Suite. Qualifications: B.S. in Engineering with 4+ years’ experience or equivalent progression in plant operations. Prior operational experience with dry powder blending/handling, shipping/receiving, and packaging preferred. Experience with project management of projects up to $1.0M. Prior management experience in a food manufacturing setting. EEO Statement Tate & Lyle will base all of its employment decisions on job‑related standards and its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO). The company will ensure promotion decisions are made in accordance with EEO principles by imposing only valid requirements for promotional opportunities. All other human resource matters such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff, company‑sponsored training, education, and social and recreational programs are administered without regard to protected classifications. All managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing and enforcing this policy. All employees are expected to perform job responsibilities in a manner that supports equal employment opportunity for all. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tate & Lyle