Operations Manager (SugarCreek)

SugarCreek Packing Co.; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company located in Indiana seeks a Production Manager to supervise and coordinate 2nd Shift Production Supervisors. The ideal candidate will manage daily operations, ensure product quality, and provide leadership to production teams. Responsibilities include monitoring production, developing plans, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Operations Management and relevant experience in food manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a technical role and operational leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of USDA and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Able to communicate effectively in writing and speech.
• Able to read, interpret and review instructions.
• Uses critical thinking to evaluate solutions.
• Capable of leading production teams in a high-speed line.
• Skilled in developing a Lean Work Environment.
• Understands statistical process control.

Responsibilities

• Supervise production floor operations and ensure product quality.
• Manage daily activities and develop production plans.
• Lead improvement initiatives and communicate results.
• Lead improvement activities and verify impact on key targets.
• Communicate daily/weekly results to the Plant Manager.
• Drive safety, quality, food safety, delivery, downtime and inventory targets.
• Control overtime, downtime, and re-work costs; minimize waste.
• Ensure compliance with customer, company and government standards.
• Provide training, direction, and leadership to plant employees.
• Collaborate with other departments to coordinate purchasing, maintenance, and inventory control.
• Support Lean initiatives and problem-solving sessions within the group.
• Attend training and maintain safe operation of machinery in the department.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge for food manufacturing

Effective communication skills

Leadership skills

Critical thinking

Understanding of manufacturing processes

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

Statistical process control

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management or related field

Job description

Location: Cambridge City, 1200 Enterprise Rd., Cambridge City, Indiana, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, September 12, 2025 at 4:00 AM

Sugar Creek Packing Co., founded in 1966, is a flourishing privately held, family owned food company. Its commitment to making the highest-quality, best-value products has allowed Sugar Creek to grow into one of the largest independent bacon processors servicing the global market.

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Supervise and coordinate the activities of 2nd Shift Production Supervisors and assigned production departments. Manage daily operations, including evaluation of activities, measurement of productivity and review of goal achievement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor the day-to-day production floor operations and supervising production of quality products efficiently and safely while meeting deadlines.
• Conduct daily production meetings with Plant Manager and other department supervisors.
• Develop production plans and measure productivity against production goals.
• Lead improvement activities and verify impact to key daily/monthly goals.
• Communicate daily/weekly results to the Plant Manager.
• Drive all aspects of operations to achieve safety, quality, food safety, delivery, downtime and inventory targets.
• Control and minimize overtime labor costs, maintenance/repair costs, downtime and product re-work.
• Ensure compliance with all customer, company and government standards.
• Provide training, direction, development, evaluation, coaching and leadership to other plant employees.
• Maintain good employee, corporate and community relations.
• Coordinate with other department supervisors to ensure proper purchasing, material handling, maintenance, accounting, quality assurance and inventory control activities and procedures.
• Develop, implement and manage the Daily Review and Response process and coach appropriate countermeasures with direct employees.
• Manage daily results to drive the Weekly Scoreboard and P&L Variance.
• Ensure the integrity and execution of the Food Safety Quality Assurance programs.
• Utilize established operational tools to effectively and efficiently lead problem-solving sessions within the group.
• Work cohesively with other managers to ensure interdependent activities are coordinated and executed effectively.
• Collaborate with internal subject‑matter experts to implement best solution strategies.
• Attend training, and demonstrate retention of that training, for the safe and clean operation of machinery in the assigned department or on the assigned line.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures and regulations.
• Support all safety, food quality and sanitation initiatives and policies.
• Follow SugarCreek safety rules and procedures.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Operations Management, Business, or other related field.

EXPERIENCE

2+ years of relevant experience in a technical capacity; 2+ years of Operational Leadership experience as a senior manager in a major food manufacturing operation.

CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

None.

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Knows regulatory requirements for food manufacturing, including USDA requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices for food operations.
• Understands manufacturing and warehousing processes.
• Able to communicate effectively and efficiently using both verbal and written skills.
• Able to read, interpret and review instructions for preparation of materials.
• Able to use critical thinking to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
• Able to work cooperatively with others.
• Able to lead production associates in a high-speed production environment.
• Possess strong leadership skills, independent thinking, organizational skills and planning abilities.
• Knows how to develop and operate a Lean Work Environment (Pillar Structure).
• Understands statistical process control.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

No unusual physical requirements. Physical requirements are consistent with operations management positions, including some sitting with some standing/walking required. Other light physical activity like using stairs or occasionally moving items weighing less than 15lbs may be required as needed. Some travel may be required in between plants.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Some travel to other locations is required.

Most work is performed in a comfortable, indoor, office-like facility. Some work is performed in an indoor, manufacturing facility with close proximity to heavy and hazardous machinery. Safety wear is required, including hard hat, hairnet, hearing protection, safety glasses, steel toe boots, coats and other necessary equipment. Very little work is performed outside of the manufacturing facility.

Cambridge City, 1200 Enterprise Rd., Cambridge City, Indiana, United States of America