Operations Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) + stock plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Conagra Brands, Fort Madison, IA, seeks a Plant Operations Leader to run day-to-day production, planning, and continuous improvement. You will supervise multiple shift managers, ensure safety, quality, and on-time delivery, and partner with HR, CI, Quality, and Finance to hit objectives.

The role emphasizes TPM, cost control, talent development, effective communication, and adherence to food safety standards in a unionized, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a management or supervisory capacity.
• Food industry experience in 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 budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Execute the plant's vision 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.

Skills

Leadership experience

Manufacturing experience

Communication skills

Budgeting and cost control

Operational excellence

Total Productive Maintenance

Analytical skills

Food industry experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Industrial Management/Engineering/Food Science

Tools

Microsoft Office / business applications

Job description

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operations of plant production departments, including production and production planning. You will implement standard work and sustain continuous improvement through disciplined operating practices and autonomous maintenance. You will plan, organize, and coordinate production activities while leading multiple shift managers to support a safe, efficient operation that produces high-quality food products. You will partner closely with Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, Quality, and Finance to achieve operational, safety, quality, service, and cost objectives.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• 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.

#LI-Onsite #LI-EB1 #LI-MSL

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.

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 n