Operations Readiness Manager

Winland Foods, Inc.; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with match

STD/LTD/AD&D/Life

HSA

FSA

EAP

Hospital indemnity

Accident Insurance

Identity and Fraud Protection Plan

Legal

Critical Illness

Job summary

Winland Foods seeks an Operations Readiness Manager to lead enterprise-wide projects, ensuring schedules, milestones, and cross-functional alignment across R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality.

This hybrid role in Oak Brook IL requires strong PM skills, experience with product launches or plant trials, and knowledge of food safety standards; salary ranges from $93k to $140k with bonus potential.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or product commercialization.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and plant operations is highly preferred.
• Experience with new product launches or plant trials preferred.
• PMP certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, enterprise-wide projects with disciplined PM practices, managing schedules, milestones, deliverables, and risk.
• Coordinate with R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Operations for successful launches.
• Develop and manage detailed timelines for NPIs and network moves.
• Ensure BOMs, routing, and specifications are accurate in systems.
• Track launch costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency during scale-up.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Problem solving

Food manufacturing knowledge

New product launches

Lean / Six Sigma

Regulatory awareness (HACCP/FSMA)

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

Employee Type

Full time

Location

IL Oak Brook

Job Type

Production Operations

Job Posting Title

Operations Readiness Manager

Job Description

Schedule

Hybrid office schedule with up to 60% + travel expectations

Work Location

2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications

$93k - $140k annually with additional bonus potential

Position Responsibilities

• Lead complex, enterprise-wide projects through disciplined project management practices, overseeing detailed schedules, critical paths, deliverables, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment to achieve business objectives.
• Lead cost and feasibility response for all new and reformulated products, as well as network moves. This involves coordination with R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and others.
• Develop and manage detailed project timelines for new product introductions (NPIs) and network moves
• Ensure all critical milestones are met (ingredient sourcing, packaging readiness, line trials, etc.)
• Coordinate multiple simultaneous plant trials, scale-ups, and first production runs
• Partner with plant teams to ensure materials, equipment, labor, and capacity are ready and available
• Identify and mitigate production risks prior to launch
• Ensure BOMs (Bill of Materials), routing, and specifications are accurate in systems
• Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and quality standards, as well as customer standards
• Track and manage launch-related costs (waste, trial runs, overtime, etc.)
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency during scale-up
• Support post-launch cost optimization efforts
• Proactively identify risks to timelines, cost, or quality
• Lead problem-solving efforts during trials and initial production
• Escalate issues appropriately with recommended solutions

Qualifications and Requirements

• 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or product commercialization
• Bachelor's Degree in Project Management, Supply Chain, Business or related field is preferred
• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and plant operations is highly preferred
• Experience with new product launches or plant trials preferredExperience with ERP systems (SAP)
• Experience with stage-gate or commercialization processes
• Understanding of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, FSMA)
• PMP Certification is preferred
• Lean / Six Sigma experience is a plus

EEO Statement

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

About Us

At Winland Foods, we're passionate about creating exceptional food experiences that bring people together. We are a dynamic and growing company specializing in meal preparation products-from pasta and sauces to plant-based proteins and more. Our portfolio includes beloved consumer brands and custom private-label solutions for retail and foodservice channels.

Why Work With Us?

• Commitment to Quality: We consistently exceed industry standards across our value chain.
• Sustainability & Responsibility: We prioritize environmental stewardship and make a positive impact on the world around us.
• People First: The safety, well-being, and growth of our employees are at the heart of everything we do.

Our Culture

We're a team of food enthusiasts who value collaboration, innovation, and integrity. At Winland Foods, you'll find an environment where your ideas matter, your contributions are recognized, and your career can thrive.

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