Operations Manager

Michael Page; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Influence plant performance andculture

Stable and growing food manufacturing

Job summary

MPI, a Southern California food manufacturer, seeks an seasoned Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead daily production, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency across shifts. You will drive labor and cost initiatives while coordinating with maintenance and sanitation to maximize uptime.

The role requires 8+ years in food manufacturing, strong leadership, and knowledge of HACCP/SQF/BRC/GMPs, plus Lean/Six Sigma or CI experience. Bilingual English/Spanish is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent operational leadership experience.
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience, ideally within food production.
• Strong leadership experience managing supervisors and hourly teams.
• Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
• Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, BRC, GMPs, and food safety programs.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations.
• Ensure production goals are achieved while maintaining quality and food safety standards.
• Lead and develop supervisors, team leads, and frontline personnel.
• Drive labor efficiency and cost management initiatives.
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Improve communication and coordination between shifts.
• Partner closely with Maintenance and Sanitation to maximize uptime and production readiness.
• Support customer, internal, and regulatory audits.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and streamline processes.
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and operational reporting.
• Foster a positive work environment focused on engagement and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Lean/Six Sigma

Bilingual English/Spanish

Quality mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent operational leadership experience

Tools

HACCP

SQF/BRC/GMPs

Continuous Improvement tools

Job description

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Our client is a respected and privately held food manufacturer with a decades-long history of delivering high-quality food products across multiple customer channels, including retail, foodservice, distribution, institutional, and industrial markets. The business operates a large-scale manufacturing facility in Southern California and offers extensive processing, production, and packaging capabilities across a diverse product portfolio.

Job Description

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations
• Ensure production goals are achieved while maintaining quality and food safety standards
• Lead and develop supervisors, team leads, and frontline personnel
• Drive labor efficiency and cost management initiatives
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed
• Improve communication and coordination between shifts
• Partner closely with Maintenance and Sanitation to maximize uptime and production readiness
• Support customer, internal, and regulatory audits
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and streamline processes
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and operational reporting
• Foster a positive work environment focused on engagement and accountability

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent operational leadership experience
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience, ideally within food production
• Strong leadership experience managing supervisors and hourly teams
• Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, service, and cost performance
• Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, BRC, GMPs, and food safety programs
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required

What's on Offer

• Annual salary ranging from $115,000 to $140,000.
• Competitive benefits package. Opportunity to influence plant performance and culture
• Stable and growing food manufacturing environment
• Direct ownership of operational improvement initiatives