Director of Operations

Berner Food & Beverage; Dakota (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Short and Long Term Disability

Job summary

A leading food processing company in Dakota, IL is seeking a Director of Operations to lead their manufacturing operations. This role involves optimizing production, ensuring quality standards, and managing a team of approximately 150 employees. The ideal candidate will have considerable experience in food processing and manufacturing environments, with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. The compensation ranges from $150,000 to $175,000 based on experience, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in food processing and industrial operations.
• Knowledge of food processing equipment and manufacturing practices.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive excellence across manufacturing operations.
• Develop and enforce KPIs and operational standards.
• Collaborate with department leaders to optimize production performance.

Skills

Operations management

Project management

Lean Manufacturing

Team leadership

Inventory management

Education

5 years in food processing operations

5 years in manufacturing environment

Technical knowledge of food production flow

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Are you a strategic leader ready to make an impact in a fast‑paced, growing organization? Berner Food & Beverage is seeking a dynamic Director of Operations to help drive excellence across our manufacturing operations. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a talented team, champion efficiency, and shape the future of a company known for quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. If you’re passionate about leading people, optimizing production, and delivering results, we’d love to have you on our team.

Reports to: Vice President 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 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 flexibility, including the ability to work varying shifts and adjust schedules as operational needs dictate.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote and implement Berner's values, work ethic, and team concept approach.
• Develop and enforce specific KPI, SOPs, 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 Berners 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 they relate to food manufacturing.
• Ensure and promote Berner's safety culture and work accordingly with the Safety Director and other key personnel within Berner Food and Beverage.
• Understand SQF requirements and HACCP‑related systems along with USDA and FDA guidelines.
• Staffing Levels – work 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 Berner 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

• Minimum 5 years of operations experience in food processing and industrial environments.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with technical knowledge of production flow in a food manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with food processing equipment knowledge.
• Demonstrated project management skills for complex projects.
• Efficient in all computer desktop skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Pay Range: $150,000 – $175,000 (Salaried based on experience)

Benefits Offered: Medical, Vision, Dental, Flex Spending, Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short and Long Term Disability, EAP, and 401(k).

All job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description must be performed onsite at our designated workplace location. This position does not offer remote, hybrid, or telecommuting work options. Applicants must be able and willing to work in person as a condition of employment.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet Berner Food & Beverage’s ongoing needs.

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