MFG Plant Senior Operations Manager

Kroger; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger Manufacturing is seeking a seasoned operations leader to supervise Centennial Farms Dairy production, driving efficiency, quality, and safety across the plant. You will mentor managers and align with customer-first initiatives while upholding Kroger’s values.

Responsibilities include budget stewardship, policy execution, and cross-functional coordination with sales, maintenance, and quality teams to ensure smooth, compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in related field.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Strong communication skills both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all production activities to maximize efficiency and product quality.
• Develop and mentor operations leaders to improve plant performance.
• Support safety, quality, reliability, and customer-first initiatives.
• Prepare and manage operating budgets and control expenditures.
• Communicate with plant leadership to implement policies and drive alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Centennial Farms Dairy Supervise and control all planning, coordination and direction of production activities, ensuring maximum operating efficiency and product quality. Develop operations resource leaders to maintain and improve plant performance. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and communicate awareness of industry trends, including new developments in equipment, ingredients and customer needs
• Support and participate in the plant safety process
• Apply analysis and knowledge of plant processing and operations to develop and maintain department structure to satisfy production needs and objectives
• Advance recommendations on policies, procedures, techniques, facilities, production planning and all other matters related to effective plant and department operations
• Prepare production portion of operating budgets; implement and control approved budgets
• Communicate effectively with plant leadership to ensure efficient and timely policy implementation
• Communicate and coordinate responsibilities with all plant supervisory staff, including maintenance, sanitation, quality control and the plant office
• Maintain close contact with sales and marketing activity, keeping abreast of all sales and marketing activities that may affect production distribution
• Develop and implement methods for enabling all employees to achieve plant production goals
• Develop department managers and associates to the fullest extent of their ability, while maintaining positive engagement
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree a related field supporting food manufacturing operations, or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations
• Proven leadership ability
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Essential math skills
• Must be highly organized and systematic in approach
• Ability to comprehend complex oral and written instructions
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail, with a high degree of accuracy and precision
• Thorough knowledge of plant operations and procedures

Desired Minimum

• Previous experience as superintendent or other mid-level management position in food manufacturing plant
• Working knowledge of Total Process Control (TPC) or lean manufacturing practices