Assistant Director of Operations

Fresh and Ready Food Group; Oak Creek (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh & Ready Food Group in Wisconsin is seeking an Assistant Director of Operations to support the Director in leading all aspects of production, safety, quality, and performance within our ready-to-eat manufacturing facility.

This role emphasizes executing operational strategies, developing frontline leaders, and driving continuous improvement using Lean and strict food safety standards such as SQF.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Business, Engineering or 8+ years of relevant leadership experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5-7+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing or a similar environment.
• Strong preference for ready-to-eat, fresh food, or short shelf-life production experience.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop teams focused on safety, quality, and performance.
• Coach and develop managers and supervisors, strengthening leadership and succession pipelines.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing and TPS methodologies.
• Oversee material flow, production standards, and performance metrics.
• Support financial targets through cost reduction and process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Excellence

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Business, Engineering

Job description

Environment: Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Manufacturing Facility

At Fresh & Ready Food Group, we specialize in fresh, high-quality, ready-to-eat solutions delivered with speed, safety, and innovation. As Assistant Director of Operations, you will support the Director in leading all aspects of production, safety, quality, and performance within our manufacturing facility. This role is critical to executing operational strategies, developing frontline leaders, and driving continuous improvement aligned with Lean manufacturing and strict food safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead high-performing teams focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence
• Coach and develop managers and supervisors, strengthening leadership and succession pipelines
• Maintain strong floor presence with a hands-on, problem-solving approach

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a proactive safety culture and implement best-in-class safety practices
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards (including SQF and related programs)

Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing and TPS methodologies
• Support cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and throughput
• Oversee material flow, production standards, and performance metrics

Financial & Strategic Impact

• Support financial targets through cost reduction, waste elimination, and process improvements
• Contribute to product innovation and ready-to-eat program growth
• Prepare and communicate operational performance insights to leadership

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field or 8+ years of relevant leadership experience in lieu of a degree
• 5-7+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing or a similar environment
• Strong preference for ready-to-eat, fresh food, or short shelf-life production experience
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement practices
• Proven track record of operational success and increasing leadership responsibility
• Strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills
• Active, hands-on role requiring time on the production floor
• Exposure to temperature-controlled environments and manufacturing equipment
• Ability to travel occasionally to customer or supplier sites

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Hands-on leader with strong experience in ready-to-eat or fresh food production
• Continuous improvement mindset with proven Lean experience
• Safety- and quality-driven, with strong regulatory awareness
• Collaborative and people-focused, with the ability to build strong teams
• Results-oriented, balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day execution
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, high-growth environment