Food And Beverage Operations Manager

Our company is a leading food manufacturing facility located in Elgin, Illinois, known for its commitment to quality, safety, and operational excellence in producing high-volume food products. As a key player in the food manufacturing industry, our facility emphasizes strict adherence to regulatory standards such as GMP, HACCP, and SQF to maintain the highest quality standards while ensuring safe and efficient production processes. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative environment where innovation, continuous improvement, and teamwork drive our success. We operate in a fast-paced setting, managing complex operations that require a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes in a highly regulated environment. Our teams are made up of dedicated professionals committed to maintaining the integrity and safety of our products while maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing downtime.

The Operations Manager role at our food manufacturing plant is an exciting leadership opportunity designed for an experienced individual capable of overseeing daily plant operations and driving performance across multiple departments. This role is directly responsible for leading and managing production, quality assurance, logistics, inventory management, and sanitation functions. The Operations Manager will supervise approximately 75 employees, including 5 direct reports who manage key departments such as Quality, Logistics, Inventory, Production, and Sanitation. This position is a salaried role with a typical workweek of 45 hours, though during busy seasons additional hours may be required. The salary range is $90,000 to $120,000 annually, with potential flexibility for highly qualified candidates.

In this hands-on leadership capacity, the Operations Manager is tasked with promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring key performance indicators including production efficiency, machine downtime, and operational costs. They will spearhead initiatives to enhance plant safety and ensure compliance with OSHA standards. A crucial aspect of the role includes conducting and participating in audits and regulatory inspections to verify conformity with industry and company standards. The ideal candidate will excel at building trust and strong working relationships with department managers and plant personnel, fostering high-performing teams that are accountable and focused on meeting business objectives.

The Operations Manager will balance active floor presence with strategic planning and leadership, ensuring smooth production flow and that quality and safety standards are consistently met. This position demands a proactive individual who can identify operational bottlenecks and lead projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and controlling costs. Excellent communication, leadership, and delegation skills are essential, as is experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. A strong background in food manufacturing or a similarly regulated industry is highly valued. The successful candidate will also have experience with ERP systems like Fishbowl and may benefit from bilingual Spanish skills to support diverse teams. This is a critical role in our organization, contributing directly to the success and growth of our manufacturing operations.