Director of Operations- Longview, TX

Compass Group USA; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Health and Wellness Programs

Dental Insurance

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

Fresh & Ready Foods, part of Compass Group USA, seeks a strategic Operations Director to lead the Longview, TX manufacturing facility. This role oversees production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and distribution while driving operational excellence and building high-performing teams.

Reporting to the Regional Director, the role drives safety, quality, service, inventory, and financial results, fostering continuous improvement and employee engagement in a fast-paced food

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, Food Science, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, CPG, protein processing, bakery, prepared foods, or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience with SQF, HACCP, FDA/USDA regulations, sanitation programs, and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations, including production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and distribution.
• Lead and develop managers, supervisors, and frontline teams to create a culture of accountability, engagement, and performance.
• Champion safety, regulatory compliance, and food safety programs, including SQF, HACCP, sanitation, and audit readiness.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize plant performance.
• Establish and manage KPIs related to safety, quality, labor, yield, inventory, customer service, and on-time delivery.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support customer growth, new product introductions, and operational initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Strategic Planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations/Engineering/Business/Food Science/Supply Chain

Tools

SQF

HACCP

FDA/USDA regulations

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

• Pay Range: 150,000.00- 160,000.00
  *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available

Please note that employees in this role will work in a temperature-controlled environment with exposure to cold conditions for extended periods of time.

Application Deadline: applications are accepted ongoing until all openings are filled for this position. If an applicant is declined due to the position being filled, they may still be considered for future opportunities and are always welcome to reapply.

Diversity of thought and inclusion for all is what drives our success - we invite you to start your journey with us today!

Job Summary

Fresh & Ready Foods is seeking a strategic and hands-on Operations Director to lead our Longview, TX manufacturing facility. As the site leader, this role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of production, food safety, quality, maintenance, warehousing, and distribution while driving operational excellence and developing high-performing teams.

Reporting to the Regional Director, the Operations Director will be accountable for achieving safety, quality, service, inventory, and financial objectives while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement. This highly visible leadership role requires a strong manufacturing background, a passion for people development, and the ability to drive results in a fast-paced food production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations, including production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, and distribution.
• Lead and develop managers, supervisors, and frontline teams to create a strong culture of accountability, engagement, and performance.
• Champion safety, regulatory compliance, and food safety programs, including SQF, HACCP, sanitation, and audit readiness.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize plant performance.
• Establish and manage KPIs related to safety, quality, labor, yield, inventory, customer service, and on-time delivery.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support customer growth, new product introductions, and operational initiatives.
• Manage budgets, labor costs, inventory levels, and operational expenses to achieve financial objectives.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, coaching leaders and supporting problem‑solving efforts.
• Build succession plans and develop future leaders within the organization.
• Foster a culture focused on operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, Food Science, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, CPG, protein processing, bakery, prepared foods, or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing large production teams through multiple levels of leadership.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, TPS, or similar methodologies.
• Proven track record improving safety, quality, productivity, and financial performance.
• Experience with SQF, HACCP, FDA/USDA regulations, sanitation programs, and quality systems.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, labor management, inventory control, and operational reporting.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a visible, people-focused manufacturing leader who enjoys building teams, developing talent, and driving operational results. They possess strong food manufacturing experience, a continuous improvement mindset, and a proven ability to lead large-scale operations while improving safety, quality, service, and profitability. Experience in high-volume food production environments is strongly preferred.

Associates at Fresh & Ready Food Group are offered many fantastic benefits.

Full-time and part-time positions offer the followingbenefitsto associates:Retirement Plan,Associate Shopping Program,Health and Wellness Programs,Discount Marketplace,Identity Theft Protection,Pet Insurance,Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

Full-time positions also offer the following benefitsto associates:Medical,Dental,Vision,Life Insurance/AD,Disability Insurance,Commuter Benefits,Employee Assistance Program,Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Fresh and Ready Foods maintains a drug-free workplace.