Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Operations Manager ("OM") is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing and directing all plant operations within the bakery manufacturing facility. This role maintains full accountability for operational performance, employee engagement, food safety, quality standards, productivity, customer service, and financial performance across all departments.

The Operations Manager provides strategic leadership to supervisors, managers, and team members while driving a culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, operational excellence, and employee development. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the facility consistently meets or exceeds company objectives related to safety, quality, service, cost control, and production efficiency.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, hands-on operational management, relationship-building skills, and the ability to motivate teams to achieve results while upholding the company's core values and commitment to continuous improvement.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, managers, and production teams using Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Build and maintain a culture of accountability, engagement, teamwork, and recognition throughout the facility.
• Monitor employee performance and conduct formal performance evaluations in accordance with company policy.
• Provide coaching, counseling, and corrective action support to address performance or behavioral concerns.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retention efforts to ensure staffing needs are met with qualified employees aligned with company culture and standards.
• Foster a positive work environment focused on employee retention, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Ensure all company policies, procedures, and workplace expectations are consistently followed.
• Support training and development initiatives to maximize employee safety, quality performance, and productivity.

Operations Management & Productivity

• Direct and coordinate all daily manufacturing operations to ensure efficient and effective production performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, enhancing food safety, and increasing overall operational performance.
• Develop, implement, and monitor operational strategies aligned with company goals and manufacturing objectives.
• Ensure production schedules, staffing levels, and operational resources are aligned to meet customer demands and business requirements.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering teams to ensure equipment reliability, preventive maintenance completion, and timely repairs.
• Monitor plant equipment and operational systems to ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime.
• Conduct regular operational meetings to communicate goals, review performance metrics, address challenges, and drive accountability.
• Support the implementation and utilization of operational technologies, ERP systems, RedZone, and other manufacturing management tools.

Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain working knowledge of USDA, FDA, NSF, SQF, HACCP, and other applicable food manufacturing standards and regulations.
• Support and uphold all HACCP, SQF, GMP, and food safety programs throughout the facility.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Sanitation teams to maintain audit readiness and operational compliance.
• Participate in customer audits, regulatory inspections, and continuous improvement activities related to food safety and quality systems.

Financial & Cost Management

• Support budgeting initiatives and operational financial performance goals.
• Monitor and manage labor costs, production efficiency, waste reduction, and operational spending.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and identify opportunities for cost savings and productivity improvements.
• Assist with capital expenditure (Cap-X) planning, ROI analysis, and operational forecasting.
• Ensure operational activities align with company profitability and growth objectives.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain open, professional, and effective communication with employees, supervisors, managers, directors, executives, customers, and business partners.
• Attend and actively participate in leadership meetings, operational reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Promote a safe, organized, and professional work environment throughout all facility operations.
• Demonstrate leadership by example while supporting the company's mission, values, and operational standards.
• Maintain flexibility to support operational needs, including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations as required.

Reporting Responsibilities

The Operations Manager is responsible for maintaining and reviewing operational reports including but not limited to:

• Product and customer waste reporting (Budget vs. Actual)
• Labor cost reporting (Budget vs. Actual)
• Gross margin reporting
• Production scheduling and capacity planning
• RedZone and operational system reporting
• Capital expenditure and ROI reporting
• Safety reporting and corrective action tracking
• Operational KPI and performance reporting

Qualifications

• 5+ years proven experience in plant operations leadership within a manufacturing or food production environment required.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and operational management skills.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing technology systems.
• Experience with ERP systems and RedZone or similar operational software preferred.