Manufacturing Operations Manager

Job Title : Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location : Louisville, KY

Job Type : Full Time | Onsite

Industry : Food & Specialty Process Manufacturing

Compensation : Competitive + Annual Bonus

Position Purpose

The Process Operations Manager will take full operational ownership of a high-volume plant that manufactures value-added specialty oils for the food and consumer goods industry. This position ensures that production outputs, safety results, product quality, and customer standards are continuously achieved without interruption.

This is a mission-critical leadership role directly impacting :

Production reliability

Customer delivery performance

Cost per pound and profitability

Plant safety and compliance culture

Long-term operational improvement and modernization

The right leader will drive both daily operational execution and transformational improvements across personnel, technology, and processes.

Core Responsibilities A Production & Manufacturing Performance

Lead daily operations in refining, bleaching, hydrogenation, interesterification, and deodorization units

Maintain accurate production scheduling aligned with supply chain requirements

Oversee equipment changeovers, batch consistency, raw material handling, and finished goods quality

Monitor KPIs such as OEE, downtime, waste %, efficiency, and throughput

Ensure customer specs, product integrity, and regulatory guidelines are met at all stages

B Leadership & People Capability

Manage supervisors and production teams across multiple shifts

Conduct onboarding, cross-training, upskilling, and ongoing development programs

Build a culture of accountability, communication transparency, and high engagement

Participate in talent planning including hiring, succession, and career development

C Safety, Environment & Compliance

Champion a zero-incident environment through proactive safety policies

Maintain compliance with :

OSHA

Food safety regulations

Environmental controls and standards

Facilitate audits, hazard reviews, root-cause investigations, and compliance reports

D Quality Assurance & Customer Support

Ensure strict adherence to SOPs, GMPs, and customer-driven quality requirements

Work closely with technical and customer service teams to resolve product issues efficiently

Support customer satisfaction by maintaining reliable and responsive operations

E Continuous Improvement & Optimization

Lead Lean / CI, Six Sigma, and TPM initiatives across production lines

Reduce rework, scrap, and unplanned downtime through predictive and preventive tactics

Collaborate with engineering teams on capital improvement and technology upgrades

Identify & implement initiatives that reduce operational cost per pound

F 5S & TPM Sustainability

Maintain 5S compliance with structured audits and corrective actions

Empower operators in autonomous maintenance and reliability ownership

Track KPIs related to :

Audit performance

Preventive maintenance completion

Root cause elimination for recurring failures

Required Qualifications

Category

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or similar

Experience

10+ years in industrial process operations; 5+ years people leadership

Technical

Strong knowledge of refining or chemical / food / batch processing

Tools

Hands-on CI systems like Lean / TPM / Six Sigma (preferred certification not required)

Compliance

Understanding of OSHA / Environmental regulations

Soft Skills

Strong communicator, team motivator, and data-driven decision maker

Preferred Candidate Attributes

Able to lead through influence and energize cross-functional teams

Excels in fast-paced environments where priorities shift based on customer needs

Track record of measurable operational improvement

Passion for modernizing legacy systems and developing technical talent

Benefits and Total Rewards

Competitive salary + 10% Target Bonus

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage from Day 1

HSA with employer contribution ($1,000 $1,500 annually)

401(k) match - 100% of first 3%, 50% of next 3%

Life & Disability Insurance provided

Supplemental options :

Pet Insurance

Identity Theft

Legal Assistance

Paid training & certification reimbursement

Paid community involvement & recognition events

Discounts : Travel, entertainment, and lifestyle perks

Why This Role Matters

This position directly influences :

Plant growth strategy

Long-term operational reliability

Customer trust and market competitiveness

Sustainability and better-for-the-planet product innovation

You will help supply essential ingredients used in :

Chocolate & confectionery products

Bakery and dairy items

Plant-based foods

Specialized nutrition & personal care products

This leader will play a key role in serving global brands and improving the quality of products used by millions every day.