Director of Operations

Michael Page; California (MO); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

PTO program

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Director of Operations for a rapidly growing food manufacturer to lead manufacturing and operational strategy across multiple facilities in North America. The role oversees production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and continuous improvement, with executive-level visibility and impact.

Responsibilities include driving productivity, implementing KPI-driven accountability, and partnering with senior leadership on strategic planning and forecasting to

Qualifications

• Progressive leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• Experience overseeing multiple operational functions or facilities.
• Strong track record improving operational performance and profitability.
• Experience leading Plant Managers, Production Managers, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial, analytical, and business acumen.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead all operational functions across manufacturing facilities
• Establish KPI-driven accountability throughout the organization
• Drive productivity, labor efficiency, quality performance, and customer service metrics
• Develop operational strategies that support continued business growth
• Lead continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives
• Build and mentor plant leadership teams
• Oversee food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems
• Support capital investments, automation initiatives, and facility improvements
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning and operational forecasting
• Create scalable infrastructure for future growth

Skills

Leadership

Plant management

Cross-functional leadership

Operational excellence

Financial acumen

Lean Manufacturing

Regulatory compliance

Job description

A rapidly growing food manufacturer is seeking a Director of Operations to lead the organization's manufacturing and operational strategy during an exciting period of expansion.

This executive leadership role will oversee production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and continuous improvement across the operation.

Our client is an established and rapidly growing food manufacturer serving both branded and private-label customers across North America. Increased demand, expanding production capabilities, and continued investment in operations have created an opportunity for an experienced operations executive to help guide the next phase of growth.

The organization offers a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where leaders have a direct impact on business decisions and operational strategy. This role provides executive-level visibility, influence, and the opportunity to build a best-in-class manufacturing operation.

Description

• Lead all operational functions across manufacturing facilities
• Establish KPI-driven accountability throughout the organization
• Drive productivity, labor efficiency, quality performance, and customer service metrics
• Develop operational strategies that support continued business growth
• Lead continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives
• Build and mentor plant leadership teams
• Oversee food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems
• Support capital investments, automation initiatives, and facility improvements
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning and operational forecasting
• Create scalable infrastructure for future growth

Profile

Requirements

A rapidly growing food manufacturer is seeking a Director of Operations to lead the organization's manufacturing and operational strategy during an exciting period of expansion.

This executive leadership role will oversee production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and continuous improvement across the operation.

Client Details

Our client is an established and rapidly growing food manufacturer serving both branded and private-label customers across North America. Increased demand, expanding production capabilities, and continued investment in operations have created an opportunity for an experienced operations executive to help guide the next phase of growth.

The organization offers a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where leaders have a direct impact on business decisions and operational strategy. This role provides executive-level visibility, influence, and the opportunity to build a best-in-class manufacturing operation.

Description

• Lead all operational functions across manufacturing facilities
• Establish KPI-driven accountability throughout the organization
• Drive productivity, labor efficiency, quality performance, and customer service metrics
• Develop operational strategies that support continued business growth
• Lead continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives
• Build and mentor plant leadership teams
• Oversee food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems
• Support capital investments, automation initiatives, and facility improvements
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning and operational forecasting
• Create scalable infrastructure for future growth

Profile

Requirements

• Progressive leadership experience within food manufacturing
• Experience overseeing multiple operational functions or facilities
• Strong track record improving operational performance and profitability
• Experience leading Plant Managers, Production Managers, and cross-functional teams
• Strong financial, analytical, and business acumen
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and growth

Preferred

• Food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing experience
• Engineering background
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement expertise
• Experience with automation, capital projects, and operational transformation
• SQF, HACCP, GMP, and food safety leadership experience

Job Offer

• $200,000-$250,000 base salary
• Executive bonus opportunity
• Medical, vision, and retirement benefits
• PTO program
• Long-term executive growth opportunity
• High visibility with ownership and senior leadership

The salary range for this role is $200,000-$250,000. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary bonus.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including Paid Time Off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.