Job Title: Operations Leader – Batching & Fermenting (Torrance, CA)
Reporting To: Sr. Director of Operations
Location: Torrance, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time Regular
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $100k - $125k + Annual Bonus Opportunity
About Generous Brands
Generous Brands is dedicated to inspiring people to thrive through the power of vibrant nutrition through its leading brands, Bolthouse Farms, Health‑Ade, and Evolution Fresh. Generous Brands partners with SAMBAZON to manufacture, distribute, and sell SAMBAZON branded beverages.
Bolthouse Farms is a pre‑eminent provider of chilled juice, smoothies, shakes, and protein drinks. Health‑Ade is the fastest growing kombucha brand, dedicated to creating bubbly beverages that boost gut health. Evolution Fresh is a premier cold‑pressed juice brand with national availability. SAMBAZON beverages bottle the superfruit power of açaí in juice and natural energy cans.
The company operates its North American business from facilities in Southern California and the Greater Chicago Area. To learn more, visit www.generousbrands.com.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
We are seeking a charismatic and hands‑on operations leader who takes full ownership of production outcomes and inspires teams to achieve best‑in‑class performance every day. This individual thrives on solving complex problems through disciplined root cause analysis, drives a culture of continuous improvement, and relentlessly pursues excellence in safety, quality, service, and cost. The role leads the Batching and Fermenting department of the Torrance facility.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and motivate a team of production personnel, fostering safety, continuous improvement, and teamwork.
- Identify and develop team skills through coaching, mentoring, and training programs focused on continuous improvement methodologies.
- Oversee performance management and provide constructive feedback to ensure individual and team success in achieving production goals.
- Champion a culture of ownership and problem‑solving, empowering the team to identify and implement improvements.
- Lead continuous improvement programs, such as Lean Six Sigma, to identify and eliminate waste, optimize processes, and reduce costs.
- Develop and execute strategic plans for the operations department, aligning with overall business objectives.
- Conduct regular financial analysis and reporting to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Champion a safety‑first culture by ensuring strict adherence to all safety regulations and procedures.
- Conduct regular safety audits, lead root cause analysis efforts for incidents, and implement corrective actions to maintain a hazard‑free work environment.
- Oversee the development and implementation of safety training programs for all staff.
- Partner with the Director of Production Planning to develop and maintain production schedules that meet customer demand, optimize resource utilization, and adhere to budget constraints.
- Work closely with the planning and procurement teams to ensure a steady flow of raw materials and supplies.
- Effectively manage production timelines, identify and address any potential bottlenecks with a high sense of urgency.
- Lead the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent product quality.
- Establish and manage key operational metrics including Safety, Quality, Service, Cost, OEE, Labor Efficiency, Yield, and Inventory Performance.
- Lead monthly business reviews and communicate performance trends to executive leadership.
- Drive accountability through visual management systems and structured performance reviews.
- Develop action plans to address performance gaps and achieve annual operating targets.
- Monitor customer feedback and implement improvements to continuously enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain clear technical instructions for the operation and maintenance of production equipment.
- Collaborate with maintenance teams on preventive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and ensure equipment reliability.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, eliminate waste, and implement cost‑saving initiatives to optimize production efficiency.
- Develop insightful KPI reports, providing commentary on department performance and structured timelines for step‑wise improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
- 5 years of experience in beverage manufacturing operations leadership.
- 5+ years of experience as a Food Production Supervisor with a hands‑on management style.
- Experience managing people and budgets.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Food Science) or equivalent industry experience.
- Proven track record of leading and motivating production teams to achieve high performance and continuous improvement goals.
- Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma), and root cause analysis techniques.
- Excellent knowledge of safety regulations and procedures within the beverage manufacturing industry.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement SOPs and training programs.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on data‑driven decision making and a high sense of urgency.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preferred experience with high‑speed bottling and canning lines.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
Physical Demands & Environmental Hazards
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Group Life and AD&D
- Voluntary Life and AD&D
- Group Short & Long‑Term Disability
- 401(k)
- Paid Time Off
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Gym Membership Discounts
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse organization. We strive for inclusiveness and a workplace where mutual respect is paramount. We encourage applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, as needed, to assist them in performing essential job functions.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance, or if you believe you do not meet any required qualifications due to a protected disability, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@bolthouse.com.
Recruitment Agencies
Generous Brands does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Generous Brands is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.