Manufacturing Operations Manager

Manufacturing Operations Manager

• Location: Auburndale, FL — 100% onsite 
• Pay: $105,000–$115,000 base + 15% bonus
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; flexibility and on-call availability required
• Experience: 5–8+ years in manufacturing/production, with team leadership, CIP, food safety, ERP, and budget experience
• Relocation: Available for the ideal candidate
• Target Start: January 1, 2027

Our client is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead production and processing at a juice beverage facility. Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll oversee daily performance, develop the team, and maintain a strong presence on the production floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead production, blending, batching, and liquid processing to meet schedule, quality, food safety, and efficiency goals.
• Oversee CIP, sanitation, batch accuracy, audit readiness, and corrective actions.
• Lead and develop supervisors and production staff across a team of approximately 30–50 employees.
• Monitor KPIs, troubleshoot issues, and partner with Maintenance and Engineering to reduce downtime and waste.
• Coordinate production schedules, materials, inventory, and finished goods flow.
• Manage budgets, labor costs, overtime, and accurate ERP reporting; support budgeting and capital planning.

Qualifications

Required

• 5–8+ years of progressive manufacturing or production experience.
• Knowledge of CIP, sanitation, and food safety; experience supporting GFSI-recognized audits such as SQF or FSSC 22000.
• ERP experience covering production, scheduling, and inventory, plus departmental budget and cost management.
• Proven team leadership, employee development, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work onsite with schedule flexibility and on-call availability.

Preferred

• Food/beverage or regulated CPG experience, particularly juice, blending, batching, or liquid processing.
• Experience leading supervisors and hourly teams, with production planning and continuous improvement exposure.
• Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Physical Requirements: Frequent standing and walking; occasional bending, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, overhead work, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Manufacturing conditions include noise, temperature variations, and wet processing areas; PPE required.

Why Join?

• Take ownership of daily manufacturing performance.
• Make a direct impact on efficiency, quality, and team development.
• Build toward potential future Director-level advancement.