Director of Operations

SkyWater Search; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyWater Search Partners is seeking a Director of Operations for a Milwaukee food manufacturer. You will oversee production, quality, maintenance, sanitation, planning, packaging, and warehouse/logistics, with hands-on leadership and strong people management.

The role requires on-site work, a deep understanding of food safety (HACCP/SQF), cost control, continuous improvement, and the ability to coordinate with R&D, QA, procurement, IT, sales, and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in operations management or equivalent experience.
• 10 years in operations and 5 years in plant leadership would typically be expected.
• Strong communication, analytical, decision-making and financial skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations across production, ingredient preparation, processing, packaging, production planning, QA, sanitation, maintenance, and finished goods warehousing.
• Build a visible, people-first leadership presence through plant walks, meetings, coaching, performance management, and clear communication with employees and managers.
• Maintain food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, SQF, SOPs, sanitation, customer requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage employee safety and OSHA requirements; support incident reduction and safe work practices.
• Improve productivity, cost control, conversion costs, waste, and cost of goods sold.
• Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance, parts inventory, plant equipment, and facility improvements.
• Coordinate new product and packaging changes with R&D, QA, procurement, IT, sales, and customers.
• Maintain accurate production, paperwork, inventory, and finished-goods fulfillment processes.
• Develop operational depth and documentation across the plant.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Operations leadership

Food safety & quality

Maintenance & sanitation

Cost control & continuous improvement

On-site availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in operations management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Nav

AutoCAD Viewer

Job description

We're looking for a Director of Operations to oversee production, quality, maintenance, sanitation, planning, packaging, and warehouse/logistics for a growing food manufacturer in Milwaukee.The leader needs to be hands-on and technically engaged, with strong people leadership skill and prior food manufacturing site leadership experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead plant operations across production, ingredient preparation, processing, packaging, production planning, QA, sanitation, maintenance, and finished-goods warehousing.
• Build a visible, people-first leadership presence through plant walks, meetings, coaching, performance management, and clear communication with employees and managers.
• Maintain food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, SQF, SOPs, sanitation, customer requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage employee safety and OSHA requirements; support incident reduction and safe work practices.
• Improve productivity, cost control, conversion costs, waste, and cost of goods sold.
• Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance, parts inventory, plant equipment, and facility improvements.
• Coordinate new product and packaging changes with R&D, QA, procurement, IT, sales, and customers.
• Maintain accurate production, paperwork, inventory, and finished-goods fulfillment processes.
• Develop operational depth and documentation across the plant.

Required Skills:

• Fluent Spanish and English communication.
• Plant or site operations leadership in food manufacturing.
• Hands-on understanding of production, food safety, quality, sanitation, and maintenance.
• People leadership in a production environment, including workforce engagement and accountability.
• Operational problem-solving, cost control, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work onsite in the Milwaukee plant and adapt hours to business and production needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management or equivalent experience preferred.
• 10 years in operations and 5 years in plant leadership
• Strong communication, analytical, decision-making, and financial skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Power BI, and Nav; ability to use AutoCAD Viewer

Preferred Experience:

• Continuous improvement training or a strong CI track record.
• Consumer packaged goods manufacturing.
• Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, deli, or other perishable food production.
• HACCP, SQF, food safety, and audit experience.