Operations Manager

Operations Manager 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars Bells, TN 38006 SHR Talent 3 reviews SHR Talent is partnering with a high quality food manufacturing company based out of Bells, TN• in its search for an experienced Operations Manager to lead production, quality, and continuous improvement efforts at a fast-paced food processing facility. The ideal Operations Manager will oversee manufacturing operations, ensure food safety and regulatory compliance (FDA, USDA, SQF/HACCP/GMP), drive cost-effective production schedules, improve yield and throughput using Lean/Six Sigma principles, and collaborate with supply chain, maintenance, and quality teams to meet customer demand and company growth targets in the Bells, TN area.

Responsibilities:

Lead daily manufacturing operations for food production lines, including scheduling, staffing, and shift coordination to meet production targets and on-time delivery Ensure strict compliance with food safety and quality standards (HACCP, GMP, SQF/IFS as applicable), maintain documentation, and work closely with QA to pass audits and inspections Implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma) to improve yield, reduce waste, lower costs, and increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) Manage budget, production forecasts, inventory levels, and cost controls; identify opportunities to optimize labor and material usage Supervise, mentor, and develop plant supervisors and frontline staff; recruit, train, and enforce safety and performance standards Coordinate maintenance and reliability programs with engineering to minimize downtime and extend equipment life Partner with supply chain, procurement, and logistics to ensure raw material availability and timely finished goods distribution Analyze production KPIs, prepare operational reports, and present performance metrics to senior leadership Drive corrective actions and root cause analysis for quality incidents, food safety issues, or customer complaints Maintain a safe work environment; enforce OSHA, company safety policies, and ergonomic programs

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered 5+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, with at least 2-3 years in food production or a regulated food environment Proven leadership managing multi-shift operations, teams of supervisors and hourly employees, and cross-functional collaboration Strong knowledge of food safety systems (HACCP, GMP, SQF), regulatory requirements (FDA/USDA), and audit readiness Demonstrated experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement methodology, and production KPI management Excellent problem-solving skills, data-driven decision making, and proficiency with production planning and ERP/MRP systems Strong communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills; ability to drive change and influence at all levels Certifications a plus: Six Sigma, Lean, HACCP, SQF Practitioner, or OSHA training Ability to work onsite in Bells, TN, flexible to occasional extended hours or weekend support during peak production or critical incidents #IND123