Position Summary The Operations Manager leads the day-to-day execution of all manufacturing operations at the South Holland facility. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, this role leads the Shift Managers and ensures safe, efficient, compliant, and reliable production across shifts. The position translates plant priorities and the approved production schedule into daily action, coordinates rapid response to operating issues, and builds consistent accountability for safety, food quality, service, labor, yield, throughput, cost, and continuous improvement. Primary Responsibilities Daily Plant Execution
- Lead daily operations across all shifts and production areas, with clear expectations for startup, staffing, line readiness, changeovers, schedule attainment, and shift handoffs.
- Execute the Supply Chain-approved production schedule by directing detailed plant sequencing, labor deployment, operating priorities, and recovery actions.
- Maintain a visible daily presence on the plant floor; identify constraints early, remove barriers, and escalate material risks to the Senior Director of Operations.
- Coordinate immediate response to downtime, labor gaps, quality holds, sanitation issues, material constraints, and other disruptions to protect safe and timely production.
- Run daily operating reviews and ensure accurate communication of performance, issues, actions, owners, and follow-up across shifts.
Safety, Food Safety and Compliance
- Make safe work the first operating priority and hold Shift Managers, Production Supervisors, Production Leads and their teams accountable for following safety standards, procedures, training, and escalation requirements.
- Participate in incident reviews, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and verification that actions remain effective.
- Partner with Safety, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Engineering to maintain regulatory, customer, and certification requirements in daily operations.
- Ensure production teams consistently follow approved process controls, HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen controls, sanitation requirements, standard work, and documentation practices.
- Stop or adjust operations when employee safety, product safety, quality, or compliance is at risk.
Performance and Continuous Improvement
- Monitor and improve daily and weekly performance for safety, quality, schedule attainment, throughput, yield, labor efficiency, conversion cost, downtime, changeovers, waste, and reliability.
- Use operating data, floor observations, and structured problem solving to identify gaps, assign countermeasures, and verify sustained results.
- Apply lean manufacturing, 5S, leader standard work, visual management, and other practical improvement methods to strengthen execution and process discipline.
- Partner with Maintenance and Engineering on equipment reliability, preventive maintenance access, planned downtime, startup readiness, and implementation of approved plant projects.
- Support the Senior Director of Operations in operating-plan delivery, budget control, productivity commitments, and implementation of site priorities.
People Leadership and Cross-Functional Coordination
- Directly lead, coach, and develop the Shift Managers and other production leaders; establish clear expectations, decision rights, operating routines, and consistent accountability across shifts.
- Ensure Shift Managers effectively lead Production Supervisors and that supervisors have the training, tools, coverage, and support needed to lead employees on the floor.
- Build bench strength through structured onboarding, cross-training, development planning, timely feedback, and succession preparation.
- Promote respectful employee relations, consistent application of policies and standards, effective communication, and prompt resolution or escalation of workforce concerns.
- Partner closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, Sanitation, Maintenance, Engineering, Human Resources, Procurement, and other support teams to maintain uninterrupted operations.
Success Measures
- Safe work practices and timely closure of corrective actions.
- Consistent execution of the approved production schedule and effective recovery from disruptions.
- Improvement in throughput, yield, labor efficiency, conversion cost, quality, downtime, and changeover performance.
- Clear shift-to-shift communication, disciplined operating routines, and accurate performance reporting.
- Capable Shift Managers and Production Supervisors with stronger accountability, engagement, and bench strength.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in operations management, business, engineering, food science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including responsibility for multi-shift production teams and front-line leaders.
- Demonstrated results improving safety, quality, labor, yield, throughput, cost, schedule attainment, and operating reliability.
- Working knowledge of food-manufacturing requirements, production controls, sanitation, maintenance coordination, and regulatory expectations.
- Experience using operating data and structured problem-solving methods to drive timely corrective action and sustained improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in USDA-regulated meat or ready-to-eat food manufacturing.
- Lean, Six Sigma, continuous-improvement, or related operations certification.
- Experience with manufacturing dashboards, production-management systems, and digital performance tools.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Daily Operations Leadership: Converts priorities and schedules into safe, coordinated execution across shifts. Drives a proactive approach to operations through coaching, planning, and Standard Work implementation and completion.
- Floor Leadership and Judgment: Maintains visibility, assesses risk quickly, and makes sound operating decisions.
- People Leadership: Sets expectations, coaches leaders, addresses performance, and builds capability and accountability.
- Problem Solving: Uses facts, root-cause analysis, and follow-through to resolve recurring operating issues.
- Performance Management: Understands manufacturing KPIs and takes action when results are below standard.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Coordinates effectively with Supply Chain and plant support functions while maintaining clear operational ownership.
- Communication: Provides concise direction, effective shift handoffs, and timely escalation of risks and decisions.
Leadership Expectations Models Miniat’s values by serving employees, customers, and the community; taking pride in the work; making decisions and committing; building for the future; and leading a team that plays to win. Physical Demands and Work Environment Work is performed primarily in a food-manufacturing plant and office environment. The role requires frequent presence on the production floor, walking and standing for extended periods, climbing stairs, and working around moving equipment. The environment may include temperature variation, noise, wet surfaces, food allergens, sanitation chemicals, and required personal protective equipment. The position must be able to support operations across shifts and respond to urgent operating needs. Reasonable accommodations will be considered consistent with applicable requirements. Job Description Notice This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Miniat is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable law and Company policy.
Benefits for this role include: Medical, vision, dental, discretionary bonus up to 25% (50% personal performance based & 50% company performance), 401(k) with matching up to a max of 4% and 120 hours PTO in the 1st 12 months.
