Plant Operations Manager

Plant Operations Manager 1550 Greenleaf Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Description:

Position Summary:

The Plant Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all operational activities across both manufacturing facilities. This position provides leadership and direction to Production and other operational departments to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and production goals are achieved. The Plant Operations Manager is responsible for maintaining people safety, food safety and regulatory compliance, supporting employee development, and ensuring effective communication and coordination between departments. This role plays a key part in achieving company objectives related to safety, quality, productivity, customer service, inventory control, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced sauce manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee daily operations across both manufacturing plants to ensure production schedules and customer demands are met. Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to Production Managers, Supervisors, and operational staff. Manage productivity, labor efficiency, operational costs, downtime reduction, and waste control initiatives. Promote and maintain a strong culture focused on safety, food safety, quality, and operational excellence. Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, FDA, OSHA, SQF, and all company policies and procedures. Develop and implement operational strategies that support company growth and continuous improvement efforts. Monitor departmental KPIs and provide regular operational performance reporting to senior leadership. Support inventory management, production reporting accuracy, traceability, and material control processes. Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Planning, and Human Resources departments to support overall operational success. Conduct regular facility inspections to identify operational, safety, housekeeping, or food safety concerns and implement corrective actions. Support employee performance management, hiring, training, disciplinary actions, and workforce development initiatives. Lead problem-solving and Root Cause Analysis efforts related to production, quality, or operational issues. Support capital projects, equipment improvements, and operational expansion initiatives as needed. Foster a positive work environment through effective communication, teamwork, and employee engagement. Enforce company policies and operational standards consistently across all departments and shifts.

Requirements:

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

Strong leadership experience within food manufacturing operations. Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, FDA, OSHA, and food safety regulations. Experience managing multiple departments or multiple facilities preferred. Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills. Ability to lead in high-pressure or fast-paced manufacturing environments. Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization. Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Products and ERP systems. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience. Minimum 5-10 years of manufacturing leadership experience required. Experience in sauce, liquid processing, or food manufacturing preferred.