Senior Operations Manufacturing Manager (Packaging Focused)

Job Details: Job Location: 6900 - Niles, IL 60714, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $165,000.00 Salary, Job Shift: First Shift
The Senior Manufacturing Packaging Manager is responsible for leading and transforming all packaging operations within a fast-paced food production environment, ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement across packaging lines and processes. This role will provide strategic and hands-on leadership during a critical period of organizational growth and transformation, driving operational excellence while building strong, high-performing teams.
The ideal candidate brings a strong food packaging background combined with engineering-based problem-solving capabilities, operational leadership, and the ability to lead through change. This individual must be both strategic and execution-focused, capable of identifying opportunities, solving complex operational challenges, and implementing sustainable improvements that support business growth.
Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead daily packaging operations across multiple production lines to ensure safety, quality, attainment, and efficiency goals are achieved.
Drive operational performance through effective leadership, accountability, and floor presence.
Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Continuous Improvement teams.
Develop and execute packaging strategies aligned with company growth initiatives and operational objectives.
Ensure compliance with all food safety, GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and regulatory standards.
Team Leadership & Development

Build, coach, and develop high-performing packaging leadership teams and frontline associates.
Create a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Lead through organizational change and transformation initiatives with a positive and solutions-oriented mindset.
Mentor supervisors and emerging leaders to strengthen leadership capability across the department.
Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

Identify operational inefficiencies and implement sustainable process improvements.
Utilize data, metrics, and root cause analysis to drive decision-making and resolve complex operational challenges.
Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, line optimization, labor efficiency, and throughput improvement.
Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and packaging performance.
Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, automation initiatives, and packaging innovation efforts.
Performance & Financial Management

Monitor and manage departmental KPIs including safety, quality, downtime, labor utilization, waste, and OEE performance.
Develop and manage departmental budgets and cost improvement initiatives.
Drive productivity improvements while maintaining product quality and employee safety.
Support inventory accuracy and packaging material management initiatives.
Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience within food packaging or food manufacturing environments required.
Strong engineering mindset with demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Proven experience leading teams within a high-growth or transformational environment.
Strong understanding of packaging equipment, automation, and manufacturing processes.
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, or related methodologies preferred.
Demonstrated ability to influence, lead change, and build strong cross-functional partnerships.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment

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