Director, Operations

The J.M. Smucker Company; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co. in Topeka, KS, seeks a Director of Operations to lead a major Pet manufacturing site onsite. You will shape the plant’s vision, develop people, and drive safety, quality, reliability, cost, and sustainability initiatives.

You will lead the site leadership team, partner with cross-functional groups, and connect plant priorities to broader business needs while strengthening the local community relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership.
• Experience leading a plant or large operation.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement systems (Ops Excellence, TPM, Lean, Six Sigma, or HPO).
• Demonstrated success in leading, coaching, and developing leaders.
• Strong communication with cross-functional partners and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker who translates business priorities into action and measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead Plant Performance & Operational Excellence across safety, quality, cost, reliability, and capital projects.
• Oversee plant and supply chain performance with cross-functional partners.
• Drive implementation and continuous improvement of Operations Excellence and related systems.
• Champion Health, Safety and Environment and Quality expectations at the site.
• Set strategy and shape the future by developing master plans, budgets, and long-term roadmaps.
• Lead operational readiness for capital investments and new processes.

Skills

Plant leadership

Strategic thinking

Change management

Communication

Problem solving

Safety & quality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Director of Operations, Topeka

Lead a major manufacturing operation within our Pet business and make a direct impact on the products consumers trust for the pets they love. As Director of Operations for our Topeka manufacturing site, you will provide overall leadership for the plant, shaping its vision, developing its people, and driving performance across safety, quality, reliability, cost, sustainability, and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing leader to take ownership of a complex operation, lead and develop the site leadership team, and build the capabilities needed to deliver both today’s priorities and the plant’s long-term strategy. You will also serve as an important connection between the Topeka operation, the broader Pet business, cross-functional partners, and the local community. Location: 2200 NW Brickyard Road, Topeka, KS 66618 [Pet Food Manufacturing Plant] Work Arrangements: 100% onsite Willingness to work extended hours and flow to the work as needed

In this role you will:

• Lead Plant Performance & Operational Excellence
• Lead overall plant and supply chain performance across safety, quality, cost, sustainability, reliability, loss reduction, inventory, financial performance, and capital project management.
• Drive implementation and continuous improvement of Operations Excellence, High Performing Organization (HPO), and related operating systems to deliver sustainable results.
• Champion Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Quality expectations while building strong ownership and capabilities throughout the site.
• Set the Strategy & Shape the Future Develop and execute the plant vision, master plan, capital and expense budgets, and strategic plans that support current and future business needs.
• Lead operational readiness for capital investments, equipment commissioning, and implementation of new processes and capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with company requirements and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Build Talent, Leadership & Culture Build a culture focused on accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Lead, coach, and develop the site leadership team, creating clear accountability and strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Strengthen organizational capability through staffing, succession planning, and leadership and professional development across the plant.
• Partner Across the Business Build strong partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Corporate Services, Marketing, Research & Development, Engineering, Human Resources, and other support functions.
• Collaborate across functions to connect plant priorities with broader business needs and deliver results.
• Represent Smucker in the Topeka Community Build and maintain positive relationships with local government, community organizations, suppliers, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
• Help strengthen the plant’s connection to the Topeka community and maintain a positive company presence.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience.
• Successful experience leading a plant or large manufacturing operation.
• Experience implementing and sustaining continuous improvement or high-performing work systems such as Operations Excellence, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean, Six Sigma, or HPO.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing leaders.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business priorities into action and measurable results.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage employees, leaders, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders.

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Experience leading within a large, complex manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability.
• Experience building organizational capability and developing strong leadership pipelines.
• Ability to successfully manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Track record of building productive cross-functional relationships and mobilizing teams around a common vision.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live.

We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose

At Smucker, we're passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong. With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Learn more about working at Smucker

Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company.

Learn more about our hiring process

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.