Operations Manager

Conagra Brands; Fort Madison (IA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Bonus incentive opportunity

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking a seasoned Plant Operations Manager to lead day-to-day production and planning across shifts, driving continuous improvement and alignment with company objectives. You will supervise production leaders, develop talent, and ensure safety, quality, and compliance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

In this role, you will partner with planning, materials, HR, and finance to optimize schedules, labor utilization, and capital budgets, while leading cost-saving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; 5+ years manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a management or supervisory capacity preferred.
• Food industry experience in a unionized manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with TPM initiatives preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience driving employee development, engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of plant production departments, including production and planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and alignment with company objectives.
• Oversee production leaders across all shifts and ensure accountability for performance.
• Drive employee engagement, training, and development programs.
• Communicate results, priorities, and action plans to employees and leaders.
• Partner with production planning and materials to maximize schedule attainment and service.
• Collaborate with HR on employee relations matters; work with Finance on budgets and capital plans.
• Lead cost savings initiatives related to labor, standards, and yield improvements.
• Support Total Productive Maintenance initiatives with Continuous Improvement teams.
• Ensure operations comply with quality, food safety, regulatory, and company standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Analytical skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Continuous improvement

Total Productive Maintenance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Industrial Management/Engineering/Food Science/Management/Product Operations or related field

Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Job description

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operations of plant production departments, including production and production planning.
• Execute the plant's vision and mission to drive continuous improvement and alignment with company objectives.
• Direct and oversee production leaders across all shifts, ensuring accountability for performance and results.
• Drive employee engagement, training, and development programs to support manufacturing, quality, safety, and productivity goals.
• Communicate operational results, priorities, and action plans to employees and leaders throughout the facility.
• Partner with production planning and materials management teams to maximize schedule attainment and customer service.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to address and resolve employee relations matters effectively.
• Partner with Finance to develop and manage capital budgets and ensure financial commitments are achieved.
• Lead cost savings initiatives related to labor utilization, operational standards, and yield improvement.
• Support and advance the site's Total Productive Maintenance initiatives through close partnership with Continuous Improvement teams.
• Ensure all plant operations are conducted safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Maintain and improve compliance with quality, food safety, regulatory, and company standards.
• Report food safety concerns through the appropriate channels and ensure timely resolution.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial Management, Engineering, Food Science, Management, Product Operations, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a management or supervisory capacity preferred
• Food industry experience within a unionized manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with Total Productive Maintenance initiatives preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience driving employee development, engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with business applications, financial management, budgeting, cost control, and statistical analysis.

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 will 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.

Compensation

Pay Range: $109,000-$159,000 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.

Benefits

• 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

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.