Operations Manager

Conagra Brands; Centralia (IL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Stock purchase plan

Bonus incentive opportunity

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking a dynamic manufacturing leader to oversee operations at the Centralia, Illinois facility. You will drive safety, quality, service, and cost objectives while leading production teams and collaborating with maintenance, quality, supply chain, HR, and finance to achieve plant metrics.

You will coach and develop leaders, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and coordinate with cross-functional partners on capital projects and process improvements to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 4-6 years of manufacturing, operations, or supply chain experience.
• 1-3 years of leadership experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, production processes, and cost management principles.
• Proficiency with business systems and data‑driven performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead production managers and supervisors to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Drive operational performance and key performance indicators across the facility.
• Develop and execute plans that support net sales growth, profitability, and service goals.
• Lead continuous improvement, productivity, and cost savings initiatives.
• Support portfolio, commercialization, and operational projects to ensure successful execution.
• Partner with maintenance, quality, supply chain, human resources, and finance teams to achieve plant objectives.
• Support strategic, operating, and capital planning processes.
• Monitor performance metrics, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, development, and performance management of leaders and team members.
• Foster a culture of employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data-driven performance

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead manufacturing operations at our Centralia, Illinois facility while driving safety, quality, service, cost, and people development objectives. You will provide operational leadership, oversee production execution, support capital and continuous improvement initiatives, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver business results and operational excellence.

A Taste Of Your Responsibilities

• Lead production managers and supervisors to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Drive operational performance and key performance indicators across the facility.
• Develop and execute plans that support net sales growth, profitability, and service goals.
• Lead continuous improvement, productivity, and cost savings initiatives.
• Support portfolio, commercialization, and operational projects to ensure successful execution.
• Partner with maintenance, quality, supply chain, human resources, and finance teams to achieve plant objectives.
• Support strategic, operating, and capital planning processes.
• Monitor performance metrics, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, development, and performance management of leaders and team members.
• Foster a culture of employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Ingredients Required For Your Success

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 4-6 years of manufacturing, operations, or supply chain experience.
• 1-3 years of leadership experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, production processes, and cost management principles.
• Proficiency with business systems and data‑driven performance management.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:

You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.

You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.

This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

Relocation assistance is available for this position. Preference will be given to local candidates.

Compensation

Pay Range:$82,000-$120,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well‑being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.