Sr. Manager, Operations

Ferrero SpA; Orangeburg (SC); On-site; USD 98,843 - 138,381; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Job summary

Ferrara Itasca Factory is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead daily production, enforce Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Productivity standards, and ensure Ferrara policies are followed. You will oversee day-to-day operations of finished goods, drive continuous improvement, coach a mixed team of hourly and salaried staff, and plan for budget and long‑term performance.

This role places you at the leadership table, building a durable culture connecting local operations to enterprise

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Management, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in operations management in food manufacturing.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading and developing a team of both hourly and salaried employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Data tracking system knowledge (e.g. Redzone).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day production activities of finished goods to ensure smooth and efficient plant operation.
• Monitor safety, quality, and sanitation standards to ensure compliance with company standards.
• Ensure compliance of plant Quality Control programs to meet Food Safety/Quality objectives and consumer complaint reductions.
• Emphasize Continuous Improvement processes in all aspects of plant operation.
• Develop and maintain key results and performance standards; conduct performance evaluations.
• Provide guidance, support, and coaching to maximize plant effectiveness.
• Participate in long-term strategic planning; forecast expenditures and meet budgets.
• Prepare reports documenting departmental activities.
• Assumes Plant Director responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

Equipment knowledge

Leadership

Digital transformation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Redzone

Job description

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for daily operations and enforces standards of Safety, Food Safety, Quality, and Productivity of the Itasca Factory. The Senior Operations Manager ensures compliance with Ferrara quality and food safety policies, procedures, and applicable standards while overseeing day-to-day production and people management.

Ways you will make a difference

• Oversee day-to-day production activities of finished goods to ensure smooth and efficient plant operation
• Monitor safety, quality, and sanitation standards to ensure compliance with company standards
• Ensure compliance of plant Quality Control programs to meet all Food Safety/Quality objectives in process reliability, product quality, product standards, specifications, and consumer complaint reductions. Monitor operations, evaluate operation efficiencies, and correct errors in a timely manner
• Emphasize Continuous Improvement processes in all aspects of plant operation. Analyze and recommend improvements and modifications to improve overall plant operation efficiencies, quality, costs, safety, and sanitation
• Develop and maintain key results and performance standards; conduct performance evaluations
• Provide guidance, support, and coaching assistance as appropriate to maximize plant effectiveness and maximize operational effectiveness by regular communication with all support functions
• Participate in long-term strategic planning, identifying and defining issues affecting performance and making corrective action plans as well as forecasting expenditures and meeting budgetary requirements
• Prepare reports documenting departmental activities
• Assumes Plant Director responsibilities as needed

Skills that will make you successful

• Adept at building relationships and maintaining a culture of growth, progress, and collaboration
• Operating knowledge of manufacturing equipment
• Leadership skills with ability to motivate and strengthen team and maintain standards of quality
• Fluency operating in a highly digital environment and/or managing digital transformation

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Management, or related field
• Minimum 7 years of experience in operations management in food manufacturing
• Previous experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading and developing a team of both hourly and salaried employees in a manufacturing environment (experience working with non-union employees a plus)
• Experience in a work environment with extended work schedules and specific time constraints; flexibility with 24-hour responsibility of plant operations
• Data tracking management system knowledge (e.g. Redzone)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience aligning people, process, and structure with ways of working, leadership behaviors, and values that yield a strong, high-performance culture

This isn't about maintaining an existing operation, it's about building, leading, and shaping a site from day one. You'll sit at the leadership table, build a team and culture that lasts, connect local impact with enterprise strategy, and help establish a strong presence both inside the plant and in the Orangeburg community.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Benefits-Resource-Center

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $98,843 - $138,381 annually.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.