Area Leader, 24/7 Food Production | Ops Manager

The J.M. Smucker Company; North Carolina; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co. is hiring an Area Leader (Assistant Production Manager) for a 24/7 food manufacturing operation in Columbus, GA.

You will lead hourly technicians, team leaders, and supervisors, ensuring safety, quality, reliability, and cost targets while building team capability. This on-site role requires flexible shifts, including nights and weekends. You will participate in Daily Direction Setting, manage priorities, escalate issues, and develop staff through coaching and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, or related field (required).
• Minimum 2 years in manufacturing operations.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory or people leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily management activities and complete Leader Standard Work.
• Provide leadership across teams and production areas to cover vacations and vacancies.
• Demonstrate flexibility across shifts, days, and hours.
• Champion the daily plan and participate in DDS meetings and handoffs.
• Be accountable for safety, quality, reliability, cost, and capability.
• Document Leader Standard Work and drive corrective actions.
• Model our Basic Beliefs and emotional intelligence.
• Partner with teams to identify and upscale OpEx capability.
• Collaborate across departments and serve as a technical resource.
• Transition to line-assigned schedule as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Operations management

Shift flexibility

Coaching and development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Job description

The J. M. Smucker Co. is hiring an Area Leader (Assistant Production Manager) for a 24/7 food manufacturing operation in Columbus, GA.

You will lead hourly technicians, team leaders, and supervisors, ensuring safety, quality, reliability, and cost targets while building team capability. This on-site role requires flexible shifts, including nights and weekends. You will participate in Daily Direction Setting, manage priorities, escalate issues, and develop staff through coaching and leadership.