Senior Operations Manager – Bay Area (Food Manufacturing

Unity Meals; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Meals in San Francisco seeks an experienced NorCal Operations Manager to build and scale our Bay Area operations from the ground up, launching production, logistics, and a high-performing team across the region.

By year two, you will deliver meals to more than 100 local schools, oversee facility moves or expansions, and lead continuous improvement through Lean, GMP, and OSHA-aligned health and safety practices, collaborating with HR, Supply Chain and Maintenance to ensure reliable, safe

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of operational leadership in food manufacturing, catering, or food logistics.
• Experience scaling operations and managing facility moves.
• Solid knowledge of 5S, GMP, FDA/USDA regulations, and health and safety codes.
• Proficiency with ERP software and creating performance/cost reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary production, team leadership, and fleet logistics.
• Drive throughput and ensure GMP compliance and food safety.
• Lead 5S Lean initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including HR, Supply Chain, and Maintenance.
• Deliver meals to Bay Area schools on time.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Lean principles

GMP compliance

Tools

ERP software

BOMs

Job description

About Unity Meals

Unity Meals is a rapidly growing, family-owned vended meals supplier specializing in

innovative, high-quality K-12 school meals. We have experienced rapid growth in recent years,

ranking No. 653 on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies and No. 27

in the Food & Beverage sector. We are now expanding to the Bay Area and seeking an

experienced Operations Manager to lead our Northern California operations.

The Opportunity

This role offers the chance to build and scale regional operations from the ground up in a

dynamic, high-impact environment.

Launch and oversee all aspects of operations for the Bay Area opening.

By year two, scale operations to deliver meals to over 100 local schools. This position

will evolve as the business grows, including leading strategic transitions and relocations

into larger, state-of-the-art facilities as growth targets are met.

Key Responsibilities

As the NorCal Operations Manager, you will oversee culinary production, team leadership, and

fleet logistics.

Culinary & Production Leadership

Drive Throughput: Oversee day-to-day high-volume meal manufacturing, ensuring strict

adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety compliance.

Lean Execution: Implement and champion 5S methodology and Lean Manufacturing

principles.

Continuous Improvement: Conduct daily time studies to maximize productivity and

closely monitor labor and resources.

Hands-On Leadership: Provide direct production support alongside your team when

needed.

Logistics & Fleet Management

Route & Fleet Ownership: Manage delivery drivers, vehicle maintenance, routing, and

distribution operations.

Flawless Delivery: Ensure daily meals arrive at Bay Area schools on time, every time,

safely and reliably.

Team Building & Culture

Coach & Develop: Build, mentor, and inspire a team of culinary associates and delivery

drivers, with a focus on safety and a positive culture.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with corporate leadership, HR (for hiring and

performance management), Supply Chain, and Maintenance to ensure smooth facility

operations.

What You Bring to the Table

We are seeking a leader who is equally comfortable with operations metrics and on-the-ground

production.

Experience: 3-5 years of operational leadership in food manufacturing, catering, high-

volume hospitality, or specialized food logistics.

Scale Mindset: Proven experience or a strong appetite for scaling operations, managing

facility moves or supporting rapid business growth.

Lean Expertise: Solid understanding of 5S, GMP, FDA/USDA regulations, and health

and safety codes.

Systems and Numbers: Experience in production planning using ERP software and

BOMs. Ability to create reports and communicate performance and costs using

spreadsheets.

Logistics Savvy: Experience managing drivers, fleet vehicles, and multi-drop delivery

routes.

Leadership Grit: Strong relationship-building skills, critical thinking, and a hands-on,

collaborative management style.

What’s In It For You?

Starting Salary: ~$120,000 (dependent on experience).

Career Trajectory: Join the ground floor of a major regional expansion. Your title,

responsibility, and impact will grow with our business.

Culture: Be part of a fast-growing, family-owned business where your voice is heard,

your impact is visible, and your work directly feeds the next generation.