Sr Manager Operations and OpEx

The Campbell's Company; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Campbell's is seeking a Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations and OPEX to lead plant operations across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people. This role demands strong leadership, operational rigor, and deployment of OPEX principles aligned to Campbell Way of Working.

The leader will manage day-to-day operations, ensure compliance, drive cost improvements, and build a high-performing, engaged team. The position partners with Plant Leadership and cross-functional teams to sustain

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership in high-speed manufacturing with OPEX, Lean, and Six Sigma.
• Onsite role with a primarily Monday–Friday day shift; must be available to cover evenings, nights, and weekends as needed to support the operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of frontline leaders, driving accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Build leadership capability through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and strong employee relations.
• Own and deploy OPEX strategy and execution across the plant, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and CI initiatives to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and resolve complex operational, safety, and quality challenges.
• Establish and sustain standard work, visual management systems, and tiered accountability routines.
• Drive disciplined root cause and failure analysis to deliver sustainable corrective actions and standardized improvements.
• Set and maintain production standards to achieve safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.
• Oversee process optimization, staffing models, and production planning.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead cost savings and productivity initiatives aligned to plant budget targets.
• Reduce total delivered cost through operational efficiency and waste reduction.
• Drive performance through KPIs including OEE, downtime, labor efficiency, waste, overtime, and quality.
• Use data and analytics to prioritize improvements and ensure accountability.
• Lead performance reviews and ensure alignment to plant and enterprise goals.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, HR, Engineering, Finance, Planning, and Distribution to optimize business performance.
• Align plant initiatives with broader business strategy and transformation roadmap.
• Lead change management efforts tied to OPEX and plant transformation.
• Drive engagement through transparency and strong leadership presence.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Lean

Six Sigma

People Development

Data analytics

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's or Master's in business, supply chain, or engineering

Job description

Since 1869 we've connected people through food they love. We’re proud to be stewards of amazing brands that people trust. Our portfolio includes the iconic Campbell’s brand, as well as Michael Angelo’s, Pace, Pacific Foods, Prego, Rao’s Homemade, Swanson, and V8. In our Snacks division, we have brands like Cape Cod, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pepperidge Farm, Snack Factory, and Snyder’s of Hanover. Here, you will make a difference every day. You will be supported to build a rewarding career with opportunities to grow, innovate and inspire. Make history with us. Why Campbell’s… Benefits begin on day one and include medical, dental, short and long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance (for individual, families, and domestic partners). Employees are eligible for our matching 401(k) plan and can enroll on the first day of employment with immediate vesting. Campbell’s offers unlimited sick time along with paid time off and holiday pay. If in WHQ – free access to the fitness center. Access to on-site day care (operated by Bright Horizons) and company store. Giving back to the communities where our employees work and live is very important to Campbell’s. Our “Campbell’s Cares” program matches employee donations and/or volunteer activity up to $1,500 annually. Campbell’s has a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support employees.

How you will make history here...

The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations and OPEX leads plant operations for an assigned functional area, driving performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People. The role owns execution of business objectives through strong leadership, operational rigor, and deployment of Operational Excellence (OPEX) principles aligned to the Campbell Way of Working.

This leader manages day-to-day operations, ensures safety and quality compliance, drives cost improvement, and builds a high-performing, engaged team. The role partners with Plant Leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver sustained performance and lead site transformation, and requires the ability to inspire trust, drive decisions, build talent, and own results.

What you will do...

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and develop a team of frontline leaders, driving accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Build leadership capability through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and strong employee relations.

Operational Excellence (OPEX) & Continuous Improvement

• Own and deploy OPEX strategy and executionacross the plant, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement (CI) initiatives to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and resolve complex operational, safety, and quality challenges.
• Establish and sustain standard work, visual management systems, and tiered accountability routines.
• Drive disciplined root cause and failure analysis (RCA) to deliver sustainable corrective actions and standardized improvements.

Production, Process & Cost Management

• Set and maintain production standards to achieve safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.
• Oversee process optimization, staffing models, and production planning.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead cost savings and productivity initiatives aligned to plant budgetary targets.
• Reduce Total Delivered Cost (TDC)through operational efficiency and waste reduction.
• Drive performance through KPIs including OEE, downtime, labor efficiency, waste, overtime, and quality.
• Use data and analytics to prioritize improvements and ensure accountability.
• Lead performance reviews and ensure alignment to plant and enterprise goals.

Change Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, HR, Engineering, Finance, Planning, and Distribution to optimize business performance.
• Align plant initiatives with broader business strategy and transformation roadmap.
• Lead change management efforts tied to OPEX and plant transformation.
• Drive engagement through transparency, visibility, and strong leadership presence.

Who you will work with...

You will work with the Operations and OpEx teams, in addition to regional partners.

What you bring to the table (must haves)...

• High school diploma or GED.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment, including experience with Operational Excellence, Lean, and Six Sigma fundamentals.
• Onsite role with a primarily Monday-Friday day shift schedule; must be available to cover evenings, nights, and weekends as needed to support the operation.

It would be great if you have (nice to haves)...

• Bachelor's or master's degree in business, supply chain management, or engineering.
• Experience leading teams in a non-union environment.
• Proven ability to develop talent and to lead and inspire teams, fostering engagement and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Cross-functional manufacturing experience with OPEX, Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Visual Factory, and 5S program implementation.
• Ability to analyze complex data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Excellent leadership, verbal and written communication, and project management skills, with the ability to engage and motivate diverse teams.
• Track record of driving change and influencing stakeholders at all levels without direct authority, and of collaborating cross-functionally to advance operational excellence.

Compensation and Benefits: The target base salary range for this full-time, salaried position is between $131,700-$181,100. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. Total pay may include other forms of compensation. In addition, we offer competitive health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and qualified applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, including consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.