Food Lab Operations Manager

At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days. We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this since Kellogg Company was founded more than 120 years ago. We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet - today and for years to come. We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort. If you're a people-oriented problem solver who enjoys tackling new challenges every day, we'd love to hear from you. If you're passionate about driving innovation while also valuing the importance of clear policies and governance, there's a place for you here. If you enjoy helping others grow and develop—and food is your passion—we have a place for you. The Food Lab Operations Manager will own the end-to-end operation and performance of the R D Food Lab and its supporting operational services. This role ensures the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of prototype development, scale-up, and testing activities—enabling speed to market and creativity. The position integrates lab execution, food safety, sanitation, purchasing, budget management, finished food storage, and outsourced lab services, serving as a critical interface across R D, Internal and external partners. The role also serves as the primary liaison with the external pilot plant for scheduling, conflict resolution, and negotiation, acting as the WK Kellogg Co. Interface for pilot-plant trial execution needs.

• WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Working Relationships
• + This position reports to the: Senior Director, R D Operations

• Direct Reports:

• + Food Lab Coordinator + Procurement Coordinator + Lab support contractors (processing-focused and food-safety-focused)

• Key Internal Relationships:

• + Growth team: Product Developers, Food Technologists, Packaging Technologists, and the R D Leadership Team + Systems & Information Management teams. + Corporate Quality, Legal, Regulatory.

• External Relationships:

• + External Pilot Plant LT, process leaders, and Pilot plant QFS manager.

+

Suppliers:

Equipment, ingredients, logistics, and services + Sanitation and maintenance suppliers.

• Dimensions:

• + •

Scope:

• R D Food Lab operations, finished food storage, and prototype execution (Internal or external). +

• Budget Responsibility:

• Lab operating budget; purchasing; GR/IR and blocked-invoice resolution; and annual budget development, capital and operational. +

• Operational Impact:

• Speed to market and creativity; food safety and compliance; continuity of supply; and resolution of critical pilot plant and business needs.
• Food Lab Operations & Leadership
• + Own day-to-day Food Lab operations, including scheduling, inventory management, sanitation, traceability, and prototype execution.

+ Ensure equipment and ingredient readiness for development and scale-up activities, including sanitation. + Manage finished-food storage, receiving, distribution, and end-to-end log management. + Define and continuously elevate the Food Lab aspiration and experience, creating an environment that inspires creativity while maintaining operational discipline. + Hire, train, mentor, and develop lab staff, contractors, and process leaders.

• Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
• + Ensure compliance with GMPs, food and people safety requirements, SSOPs, SOPs, and LOTO standards. + Coordinate, update, and reinforce lab procedures, safety programs, and onboarding for new lab users. + Serve as a key liaison with Corporate Quality, Legal, and Regulatory to support labeling needs, forensic analysis, and protection of company reputation.
• Purchasing & Budget Management
• + Own purchasing activities for R D Innovation, including requisitions, purchase orders, goods receipt and purchasing log management.

+ Manage the lab budget through spend tracking versus budget, GL reviews, GR/IR management, and blocked-invoice resolution. + Ensure timely procurement to support on-site and off-site testing and development activities. Including Ingredients for Industrial trials for Kellogg networks and co-manufacturers as needed.

• Outsourced Sanitation, EPI Storage, and Logistics
• + Manage internal laboratory service model to support sanitation. + Define scopes of service and continuously improve lab performance. + Align contracted lab capabilities with business strategies and influence SME staffing to support prototype execution. + Partner with R D, Quality, and Manufacturing leaders to meet critical business needs and continuity requirements.
• Operational Excellence & Enterprise Collaboration
• + Act as the WK Kellogg Co / Kellanova interface for lab and operational needs.

+ Drive horizontal and vertical collaboration across R D, Quality, Systems, and Manufacturing. + Proactively identify and escalate operational, safety, compliance, and capacity risks. + Deliver top-line and bottom-line impact through operational efficiency, waste reduction, cost savings, and data-driven decision-making.

• Role Evolution and Future State
• + This role is expected to help shape the future-state R D operations model. The Food Lab and Operations Manager will play a key role in navigating transitions by preserving execution excellence, clarifying accountabilities, and ensuring uninterrupted R D delivery during periods of change. + Working knowledge of commercial agreements and service-level expectations

• REQUIREMENTS

• + Bachelor's degree in food science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical discipline is preferred.

+ Food, CPG, or manufacturing lab operations leadership is preferred. + Strong background in food safety, quality systems, and GMPs is preferred. + Experience managing outsourced laboratory services is preferred. + Budget ownership, purchasing, and SAP/WOW experience are preferred. + Scheduling, logistics, inventory, and finished goods handling is preferred. + Cross-functional leadership with plants, suppliers, and external partners is preferred.

• Key Skills & Competencies
• + Highly organized and detail-oriented + Strong horizontal and vertical collaborator + Solution-oriented with enterprise mindset + Sound prioritization and escalation judgment.

+ Lab and operations management + Food safety and sanitation systems + Purchasing, logistics, and SAP/WOW _

Salary Range:

[_ _$118,400 - $148,000_ _]_ Salary pay ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, the successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and local market conditions. _At WK Kellogg Co, our success depends on our most vital asset — our people. That's why we're committed to providing you with benefits and programs that support your Total Health and your journey to be and feel your best — physically, financially, emotionally, and socially._ _Although subject to change, the below are the benefits currently offered in association with this position:_ + _Incentive Plan bonus eligibility_ + _Health, dental and vision insurance_ + _Savings and Investment Plan with Company match and contribution_ + _Paid Time Off_ ( _includes paid sick time)_ + _11 Paid Holidays_ + _Life Insurance, AD and D Insurance and STD/LTD_ + _Tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance for eligible employees_ + _Employee recognition program_ _The above offerings are subject to the terms of WKKC policies, which will control in the event of a conflict with the above descriptions._ _Our comprehensive and competitive benefits not only deliver value to you and your family, but also offer choice to meet your unique needs and knowledge to empower confident decision-making._

• ABOUT WK KELLOGG CO

• At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands.

Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Since then, we have embraced the same spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in everything we do, channeling our founder's passion and commitment to creating high quality and delicious products while fostering communities. Our iconic brand portfolio includes _Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Kashi_ , _Special K, Raisin Bran_ , _Frosted Mini Wheats_ , and _Bear Naked_ . With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. For more information, visit www.wkkellogg.com . If we can help you with a reasonable accommodation throughout the application or hiring process, please email TalentAssist@wkkellogg.com

• THE FINER PRINT

• The ability to work a full shift, come to work on time, work overtime as needed and the ability to work according to the necessary schedule to meet job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation is an essential function of this position.

WK Kellogg Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• _For US applicants:_
• Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

For additional information, please follow this link (https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify\_Participation\_Poster\_ES.pdf) . Let's create gr-r-reat days, WK Kellogg Co RecruitmentWK Kellogg Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.