Director of Operations

Summary :

The Director of Operations will report directly to the Vice President of Operations and play a key leadership role in driving excellence across all facets of the organization. This individual will collaborate closely with department leaders to optimize production performance, strengthen quality standards, and advance the efficiency of business systems and operational processes.

The Director of Operations will be expected to maintain a strong presence across all functional areas, ensuring alignment between plant operations, strategic objectives, and company goals. This role requires a high degree of flexibility, including the ability to work varying shifts and adjust schedules as operational needs dictate, in order to provide effective leadership and oversight across the business.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities : Include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Promote and implement client values, work ethic, and team concept approach.
• Develop and enforce specific KPI, SOPs (standard operating procedures), and GMPs.
• Understand Manufacturing practices that are compliant with SQF and HACCP.
• Develop and coordinate production schedules to meet forecasting requirements for the company and clients.
• Develop and maintain a production forecast to minimize labor, material, and overhead costs.
• Understand and calculate proper inventory levels with supply chain / warehousing and sales to meet customer demand.
• Workforce management – follow up with Managers and Supervisors on employee status, shift function, training, attendance, staffing levels, overall line performance, continuous improvement, OEE, and any other related needs to production.
• Ensure OEE performance is being met in accordance with company goals and standards.
• Develop and understand budgets and product costs in collaboration with Supply Chain, Procurement, Research and Development, and Sales.
• Understand and utilize the client ERP system.
• Review and set measurable goals and expectations for the production and production staff of approximately 150 employees.
• Develop and maintain effective training programs for employees.
• Conduct monthly staff meetings with all division personnel.
• Make fact-based decisions based on collected data and history related to operations and production.
• Have knowledge / understanding of retorted processes along with thermal processes as it relate to food manufacturing.
• Ensure and promote client safety culture and work accordingly with the Safety Director and other key personnel within client.
• Understand SQF requirements and HACCP-related systems along with USDA and FDA guidelines.
• Staffing Levels – working with HR / Talent Acquisition to ensure proper personnel is in place for each role on the production floor.
• Work with Research and Development / Quality Department to ensure overall product standards are met for each client.
• Review Operations Schedule – On schedule / ahead / behind, adjust accordingly with the operations team, supply chain, quality, sales, and research and development departments.
• Review Production Manager and Supervisor paperwork errors to ensure accuracy for all shifts.
• Review Maintenance needs (with Maintenance Department) for planned downtime or any new product start-up, including any projects, including equipment or process changes for each line.
• Work with Production Managers and Supervisors on various continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work in conjunction with the maintenance department and CI Engineers to promote better equipment performance for higher efficiency yields.
• Review production run rates with production supervisors and managers, along with the VP of Operations and the COO.
• Review cleanup, changeover, startup paperwork, and track documentation with the production team, maintenance department, quality department, and sanitation department.
• Review yield – Look for where and why client may be gaining / losing inventory in conjunction with Warehousing, Quality, and Supply Chain.
• Attend or lead pertinent Company and Operations meetings in collaboration with other departments within the company.

Educational and Experience Requirements