Manager, Operations

Oil-Dri Corporation of America; Ripley (MS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 6% company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

HSA and FSA options

Company-paid life insurance and AD&D

Short-term and long-term disability

Paid parental leave

Paid time off and holidays

Fitness and wellness programs

Career growth, training, and developer

MS Excel training opportunities

Job summary

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is seeking a Manager, Operations to lead the Ripley manufacturing site. This role directs processing and packaging, ensures safe, cost-effective production, and drives continuous improvement through TPM, 5S, and data-driven decisions.

You will supervise and coach frontline leaders, plan production around demand, and coordinate cross-functional resources to optimize quality, utilization, and teammate development at the site.

Qualifications

• College degree in packaging, operations, engineering, or related field.
• ERP manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Experience with bulk-material handling and packaging equipment.
• Knowledge of HRIS timekeeping systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, TPM, 5S or related CI methods.
• MSHA/OSHA familiarity is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead Plant Operations: oversee processing, packaging, loading, inventory, and material flow.
• Drive Safety & Quality: ensure safety and quality requirements with ZERO accidents goal.
• Develop Teammates: supervise, train, and coach direct reports and team leaders.
• Plan Production: set priorities and sequences based on demand and schedules.
• Improve Performance: monitor productivity, waste, yield, and equipment use.
• Lead Continuous Improvement: implement TPM, 5S, problem solving, and cost reduction.
• Coordinate Resources: partner with processing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams.
• Support Reliability: schedule and coordinate preventive maintenance activities.
• Shape Plant Plans: develop staffing and capital plans for safe operations.
• Maintain Standards: create procedures and training materials; complete reporting.

Skills

Operations leadership

Strategic planning

Problem-solving

Data-driven decisions

Effective communication

Technology proficiency

Safety and quality mindset

Education

College degree in Packaging Science, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Compensation:

Competitive salary + annual bonus

• This position is based at an active mine and manufacturing site and requires daily onsite presence.
• Regular in-person attendance consistent with the Company's established work schedule is an essential function of this position to facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and business operations.

About Oil-Dri

Founded in 1941, Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading global manufacturer of specialty sorbent products serving both consumer and business markets. Headquartered in Chicago, Oil-Dri is a publicly traded, family-controlled organization built on honesty, integrity, and accountability. Our mission is simple: Create Value From Sorbent Minerals®.

About the Role

The Manager, Operations leads teammates and daily work across the Packaging and Processing departments at Oil-Dri's Ripley manufacturing site.

This role provides direction to the operation, strengthens team effectiveness, and ensures production schedules are achieved safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while improving quality, material usage, equipment utilization, productivity, and teammate development.

Your Impact

• Lead Plant Operations: Provide leadership and direction across processing, packaging, loading, inventory management, and material flow.
• Drive Safety & Quality: Ensure work follows safety, environmental, housekeeping, and customer-quality requirements while striving for ZERO Accidents.
• Develop Teammates: Supervise, train, schedule, coach, and develop direct reports and frontline leaders.
• Plan Production: Establish priorities and sequences for processing, packaging, and loading operations based on production and customer demand.
• Improve Performance: Monitor productivity, material usage, product yield, waste, equipment utilization, and other plant metrics.
• Lead Continuous Improvement: Drive visual controls, TPM, 5S, structured problem-solving, process improvement, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Coordinate Resources: Partner with Processing, mining contractors, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Human Resources, and plant leadership.
• Support Reliability: Coordinate equipment inspections and maintenance activities to achieve preventive-maintenance goals.
• Shape Plant Plans: Develop staffing, operational, and capital plans that support safe and reliable plant performance.
• Maintain Standards: Develop procedure manuals and training aids and complete required reporting and documentation.

What You Bring

• Operations Experience: 5+ years of experience in a processing and packaging environment.
• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of supervisory experience in manufacturing or plant operations.
• Process Management: Demonstrated ability to improve production efficiency, quality, equipment utilization, and operating performance.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze operating issues, use data, and present workable solutions.
• Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to work across all levels and functions.
• Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Values: Commitment to honesty, integrity, safety, quality, execution, and teammate development.

Preferred Experience

• College degree in Packaging Science, Operations, Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with an ERP manufacturing system
• Bulk-material handling and packaging-equipment experience
• Working knowledge of HRIS timekeeping systems
• Experience with Six Sigma, TPM, 5S, or related continuous improvement methods
• Familiarity with MSHA or OSHA regulations and practices

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off and holidays
• Fitness and wellness programs
• Career growth, training, and professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Statement

Oil-Dri is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and qualified candidates without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Accordingly, all employment decisions and personnel actions or programs such as hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, reductions in workforce, and training, etc. will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity.