Senior Plant Ops Leader — 24/7 Lean, Safety & Growth

WK Kellogg Co; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 164,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive Plan bonus eligibility

Health, dental and vision insurance

Savings and Investment Plan with 401(k

Paid Time Off

11 Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Employee recognition program

Job summary

WK Kellogg Co is seeking a Senior Manager, Plant Operations to lead strategic and operational direction for a large-scale, 24/7 manufacturing operation. The role centers on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development, empowering managers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

You will drive budgeting, planning, and lean deployment, build high-performing teams, and collaborate across functions to optimize plant performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Proven success in leading large teams and managing multiple production lines.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement systems.
• Experience in union environments preferred.
• Experience with budget creation and performance management.
• Experience working within a 24/7 manufacturing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Set direction and priorities for assigned business units, ensuring alignment with plant goals and corporate strategy.
• Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop Operations Managers and Supervisors to build high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure consistent execution of production plans and consistently deliver strong results across KPIs including safety, quality, food safety, cost, and service.
• Innovation & Project Execution: Lead the execution of innovation and projects entering the plant with cross-functional alignment and successful implementation.
• Budgeting & Planning: Own the business planning and budgeting process for assigned units, including cost containment and resource allocation.
• Lean & CI Deployment: Champion and sustain lean manufacturing principles and KIWS across all units.
• Culture & Engagement: Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and engagement with continuous learning and recognition.
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure compliance with safety, food safety, sanitation, and labor standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with support functions and external stakeholders to optimize performance and resolve challenges.

Skills

Leadership experience

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Decision making

Union experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

WK Kellogg Co is seeking a Senior Manager, Plant Operations to lead strategic and operational direction for a large-scale, 24/7 manufacturing operation. The role centers on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development, empowering managers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

You will drive budgeting, planning, and lean deployment, build high-performing teams, and collaborate across functions to optimize plant performance.