Manufacturing Process Operations Leader

PepsiCo; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 73,600 - 123,150; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

PepsiCo is seeking a Manufacturing Process Operations Leader to drive safety, performance, and continuous improvement on a 24/7 production floor in Bakersfield, California. You will lead 15–30 frontline associates across manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics, focusing on people development and operational excellence.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, coaching, and rapid problem-solving to improve yield, reduce waste, and deliver plan results in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Lean Six Sigma experience preferred, demonstrated by a major improvement project.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing, preferably food/beverage.
• Strong skills in TPM or lean manufacturing, finance and accounting, project management, human relations, effective communications, and statistics/logical problem solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications.

Responsibilities

• Rotating shifts (including nights and weekends) in a 24/7 operation.
• Optimize operational efficiencies across production, packaging, warehousing, and shipping.
• Minimize waste through efficient material and ingredient usage.
• Maintain inventory accuracy and enforce financial controls.
• Ensure product quality and sanitation standards.
• Adjust production plans to meet the site annual operating plan (AOP).
• Lead and develop frontline hourly personnel and coaching for performance.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

TPM

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

PepsiCo is a playground for curious people. We invite thinkers, doers, and changemakers to champion innovation, take calculated risks, and challenge the status quo. From executives to team members on the front lines,we’reexcited about the future. We take chances. Together, we dare to make the world a better place.

Our associates arethe magic ingredient. Each of them plays an integral role in helping create deep connections between people and our products. Think about your last group celebration: Chances are, one of our iconic brands was by your side. At PepsiCo,you’reinvited to be a part of a global team of innovators who make, move, and sell these products—which are enjoyed by more than 1 billion people a day.

This role offers a unique opportunity to step into a frontline leadership position within our manufacturing operations. As a Manufacturing Process Operations Leader, you will play a critical role in driving performance, supporting day-to-day operations, and developing high-performing teams.

You will lead a diverse group of 15–30 frontline associates across manufacturing, warehouse, or logistics functions, directly impacting safety, service, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. In this role, you’ll work closely with your team on the floor, identifying opportunities to improve processes, solve operational challenges, and deliver strong results.

Beyond operations, this position is highly focused on people leadership and development—coaching team members, building engagement, and creating an environment where individuals can grow and succeed. If you enjoy being hands-on, working in a fast-paced environment, and making a tangible impact on both people and performance, this role is a great opportunity to build your leadership career within manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Rotating shifts (including nights and weekends) in a 24/7 operation.

• Optimize operational efficiencies to support the facility’s production, packaging, warehousing, and shipping operations.
• Optimize ingredient and packaging material usage to minimize waste.
• Ensure operational practices are followed to control inventories.
• Ensure PepsiCo financial and accounting control procedures are followed to ensure accurate inventory records are maintained.
• Maintain product quality and sanitation standards.
• Flex production plans on a shift-by-shift basis, managing through issues to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies.
• Identify and coordinate operations improvements necessary to deliver the site annual operating plan (AOP). Ensure cost performance gaps are identified, action plans are developed, and resources are properly allocated.
• Builds people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for front-line hourly personnel
• Manage the performance of direct reports through performance reviews, frequent discussions, coaching, and career development action plans.
• Develop team to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals
• Deliver effective change leadership - driving business changes while minimizing people impact
• Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally to assist team to solve operational issues
• Motivate team members to achieve plan goals
• Facilitate maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime.
• Build and develop talent by effectively leveraging PepsiCo Career Growth and Leadership
• Models and the Performance Management Process: objective setting, performance and development (PDR), , people planning, 360 feedback, and competency review.
• Champion and lead an effective safety culture. Coach for safe behaviors and compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Coach teams to demonstrate continuous improvement in profitability margins, efficiencies, and cost savings initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Company policies, contracts and procedures.
• Lead the implementation of the AM pillar
• Directly oversee operational measures including but not limited to efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, transactional accuracy
• Directly oversees operational measures including but not limited to CIL/CL compliance, minor stop loss, SRC completion.
• Administer policies and procedures
• Regular and predictable attendance at the work site
• This role requires regular presence on the plant floor
• This role requires lifting up to 40 lbs. occasionally
• This role requires occasional work in poor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, or snow.
• This role may operate forklift and manufacturing equipment occasionally
• This role may require off-shift and weekend work
• This role may require some travel (less than 5%)
• Ensure 100% completion of New Hire Wave Conversations and conduct annual Wave 1:1 Conversations with direct reports

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $73,600 - $123,150.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or similar field
• Lean Six Sigma Experience preferred, demonstrated by successful completion of a major improvement project.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing preferred preferably food/beverage experience
• Must possess strong skills, knowledge and capability in TPM or lean manufacturing, finance and accounting, project management, human relations, effective communications, and statistics/logical problem solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision making
• Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented, challenging environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to get results through mentoring skills
• Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team building skills
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy. Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.