Operations Manager

Company:

Sabrosura Foods is one of the leading marketers of Hispanic products sold throughout the U.S. under the well-known brand names of Pancho's, El Viajero, Reynaldo's and La Morenita. We are dedicated to delivering authentic and high-quality products to our customers. Our passion lies in creating delicious, culturally inspired foods that connect people and cultures. Our drive for quality, authenticity, and innovation compels us to deliver exceptional products that celebrate the diverse cultures and tastes of our customers.

Job Summary:

The Operations Manager - Make Plant is responsible for leading and optimizing production operations within the make facility, with a strong focus on process control, product consistency, and regulatory compliance. This role owns the day-to-day execution and performance of make operations, ensuring production plans are achieved safely, efficiently, and in alignment with quality standards. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in driving process stability, reducing variability, and leading continuous improvement efforts across the plant.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead day-to-day make plant operations, ensuring production plans are executed safely, efficiently, and on schedule. Own production performance metrics, including yield, throughput, downtime, scrap, and process variability. Drive process control and discipline across all make operations to ensure consistent, repeatable results. Monitor, analyze, and act on production data to identify trends, address gaps, and improve performance. Lead process standardization efforts to ensure compliance with HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, and all regulatory requirements. Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and implement sustainable corrective actions for process deviations, quality issues, and operational inefficiencies. Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to resolve issues, improve equipment reliability, and enhance process capability. Own process validation, documentation, and control strategies to support scalable and controlled production. Evaluate and implement process improvements, automation, and control technologies to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma projects. Develop, coach, and build capability within the operations team, reinforcing accountability, standard work, and process ownership. Ensure compliance with all food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements, including FDA and USDA standards. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience in food manufacturing will be considered. 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with strong exposure to production operations, process control, or continuous improvement. Demonstrated experience owning or driving production performance in a manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, and regulatory compliance requirements. Experience with process automation, statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement methodologies.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Strong operational leadership skills with the ability to drive execution and accountability on the plant floor. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements. Proficiency in ERP/MES systems, data analysis tools, and process monitoring systems. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence teams across Operations, QA, Maintenance, and Engineering. Experience implementing and sustaining Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement programs. Excellent communication and coaching skills with the ability to develop team capability.

Physical Requirements:

This role is primarily performed in a manufacturing facility with regular exposure to production areas. Requires the ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods. Must be able to work in varying temperatures (cold storage and hot production environments). May require occasional lifting of materials up to 50 lbs.