Operations Director

Danone North America is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, committed to promoting health through nutritious products. With a strong portfolio of iconic brands such as Activia, DanActive, Silk, and Oikos, Danone operates approximately 13 production facilities across the United States and employs around 5,000 passionate individuals dedicated to delivering high-quality products to consumers. The company is recognized as one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, reflecting its commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and creating positive value for people and the planet. Danone's mission, 'One Planet. One Health BY YOU,' encapsulates their holistic approach to wellness and environmental responsibility, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across all levels of the organization.

The Operations Director role at Danone’s Dallas, Texas production facility is critical to upholding the company’s standards for excellence in manufacturing. This state-of-the-art, extra-large beverage production plant requires dynamic leadership to manage daily operational activities efficiently while fostering a strong safety culture and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with the Plant Director, the Operations Director will oversee multiple departments including Production, Packaging, Processing, Planning, and Purchasing, ensuring seamless coordination and accountability. This position involves crafting and executing short- and medium-term production strategies aimed at optimizing resource utilization such as labor, materials, and workflow processes.

A key responsibility of this role is to lead Danone’s Integrated Work Systems (IWS) to embed accountability, operational efficiency, and quality into the plant’s culture. The successful candidate will be measured on Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, and Nature (SQCDMN) metrics and will be expected to deliver results that meet customer demands timely and cost-effectively without compromising safety or compliance standards. Budget and cost management are also essential components of the role. Additionally, managing capital project planning and execution ensures the facility remains at the forefront of innovation and production capabilities.

This position requires collaboration with Human Resources, particularly in a union environment, to address hiring, performance management, and employee relations, reinforcing a workforce aligned with Danone’s values and business objectives. Safety and regulatory compliance with GMP, FDA, and food quality standards remain top priorities, as does maintaining an ethical, high-performance culture across all teams. The Operations Director will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership, negotiation skills, and the ability to make informed decisions amid changing priorities and operational demands.

Compensation for this role includes a competitive salary with a performance-based bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. Employees at Danone benefit from medical, dental, and vision insurance, prescription drug coverage, a robust 401(k) plan, wellness programs, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off, and paid parental bonding leave, among other perks. The work environment reflects Danone's commitment to accommodating employees’ needs, including considerations for physical demands and workplace safety.

Candidates should have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, with preference given to those holding a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, food science, or related fields. Over ten years of production management experience in high-speed food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing environments is required, with added value placed on experience in UHT dairy processing and continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and TPM. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional organizational, analytical, and leadership abilities, enabling them to guide the plant in delivering operational excellence while supporting a 24/7 production schedule as needed.

Joining Danone means being part of a purpose-driven company focused on health and sustainability, working with well-known brands and contributing meaningfully to consumers’ wellbeing worldwide. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced leaders eager to drive impactful change in manufacturing operations while embracing Danone’s core values of responsibility, innovation, and community.