Operations Manager

FoodNerd Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

FoodNerd Inc. in Buffalo, NY is seeking an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing performance. You will work on the production floor with a team of 20–30 across two shifts, ensuring the right work gets done at the right time.

You’ll own production planning, output, labor productivity, and safety-critical SOPs, while driving continuous improvement and close collaboration with Quality to meet food safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on manufacturing or production leadership experience
• Experience directly leading production teams
• Comfort using ERP systems and operational data
• Strong problem-solving skills and technical curiosity
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and get involved
• Food manufacturing, GMP, food safety, traceability, or SQF experience preferred
• No specific degree required

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production planning and execution across two shifts
• Oversee production output, labor productivity, yield, scrap, and downtime
• Manage four direct reports and 20–30 production employees
• Own inventory accuracy, warehouse operations, and shipping
• Ensure accurate and timely production data in ERP
• Develop and enforce SOPs and standard work
• Drive continuous improvement of processes, equipment, systems and workflows
• Identify bottlenecks and intervene personally when needed
• Collaborate with Quality to meet food safety and quality standards

Skills

People leadership

Production planning

Problem solving

ERP systems

Continuous improvement

On-floor leadership

Food manufacturing knowledge

Tools

ERP software

Job description

FoodNerd is looking for an Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day performance of our Buffalo manufacturing operation.

This is not a desk job. You'll spend the large majority of your time on the production floor, leading a growing team of approximately 20–30 people across two shifts and making sure the right work gets done at the right time.

We're looking for someone who can see the whole operation, identify the critical path, solve problems, hold people accountable, and keep production moving.

What you'll own:

• Daily production planning and execution across two shifts
• Production output, labor productivity, yield, scrap, and downtime
• Leadership of four direct reports and approximately 20–30 production employees
• Inventory accuracy, warehouse operations, and shipping
• Accurate and timely production data in our ERP
• Development and enforcement of SOPs and standard work
• Continuous improvement of production processes, equipment, systems, and workflows
• Identifying bottlenecks and jumping in personally when the operation needs help
• Working closely with Quality to ensure production consistently meets food safety and quality standards

This job is for you if you love:

• Having a visible impact every day
• Solving problems and figuring out things you don't already know
• Being on the floor rather than managing from an office
• Building and improving systems instead of simply inheriting them
• Using AI and other tools to learn, troubleshoot, and work smarter
• Leading people, setting clear expectations, and holding your team accountable
• Working in an environment where equipment, processes, technology, and priorities are constantly evolving

What we're looking for:

• Approximately 3–5 years of hands-on manufacturing or production leadership experience, or equivalent experience demonstrating you're ready for this level of ownership
• Experience directly leading production teams
• Comfort using ERP systems and operational data
• Strong problem-solving skills and technical curiosity
• A demonstrated willingness to roll up your sleeves and get involved
• Food manufacturing, GMP, food safety, traceability, or SQF experience is strongly preferred, but we're more interested in finding the right person than checking every box
• No specific degree required

Why FoodNerd:

This is an opportunity to join a growing company at a stage where you can meaningfully shape how our operation is built. As FoodNerd scales, we expect the scope and leadership needs of our operations organization to grow significantly. Someone who excels in this role could grow one, two, or even three levels within the organization over the next several years.

Base salary: $80,000–$100,000, depending on experience

• Reports directly to the COO and works closely with our on-site Founder & CEO.