Sr Manufacturing Operations Manager

Leoforce; Rancho Cucamonga (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Plant startup opportunity

Leadership development

Start-date flexibility

Onsite work

Job summary

Leoforce is seeking a Sr Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead a new beverage manufacturing facility in Southern California. You will drive safety, quality, and productivity while overseeing startup readiness, CAPEX projects, and a transition across Downey and Rancho Cucamonga locations.

You will build and coach teams for multi-shift operations, manage KPIs, and host customers, with a focus on reliability, automation, and continuous improvement in a 24/7 environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 8+ years in related work with 4+ years in leadership.
• High school diploma with 11+ years related experience and 6+ years leadership.
• Engineering degree preferred; master’s degree preferred as per description.
• Strong leadership in food/beverage manufacturing; beverage industry preferred.
• Maintenance background and equipment reliability knowledge.
• Experience with automation and high-speed production equipment.
• CAPEX, equipment commissioning, new line launches, startup experience preferred.
• Bottling, canning, or blow molding experience highly relevant.
• SAP or comparable large ERP experience.
• Proven KPI management and safety/quality/productivity improvements.
• Coaching, mentoring, and team-building abilities.
• Commitment to multi-shift and 24/7 operations.
• Willingness to host customers and conduct plant tours.
• Local residency; commute to Downey and Rancho Cucamonga; no relocation.
• Weekend availability and background/drug screening clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations with safety, quality, productivity, and performance ownership.
• Support startup readiness for new facility; equipment commissioning and team development.
• Improve high-speed equipment performance via maintenance, reliability, and automation.
• Develop and implement CAPEX projects to boost safety, quality, and productivity.
• Create one-year and three-year business plans aligned with objectives.
• Translate plant goals into clear priorities and measurable KPIs.
• Review KPIs to guide operating decisions and supply chain performance.
• Build, coach, and mentor teams as operations expand to multiple shifts.
• Lead continuous improvement addressing losses, downtime, and inefficiencies.
• Meet internal/external customer requirements per specifications.
• Support environmentally responsible operations and community representation.
• Host customers, conduct facility tours, and communicate with stakeholders.
• Utilize SAP or ERP to support MES and performance management.
• Collaborate across Downey and Rancho Cucamonga during transition.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

KPIs management

Cross-functional leadership

Coaching/mentoring

Safety & quality focus

Multi-shift & 24/7 ops

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree + 8+ years

High school diploma + 11+ years

Engineering degree preferred

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Automation experience

Job description

Sr Manufacturing Operations Manager

Mid Level

Salary: $125,000 - $160,000 per year

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, productivity, customer service, and operating performance.
• Support startup readiness for the new facility, including equipment commissioning, production-line readiness, and team development.
• Apply maintenance, reliability, and automation expertise to improve high-speed manufacturing equipment performance.
• Identify, develop, and implement capital expenditure projects that improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and execute one-year and three-year business plans aligned with company and local market objectives.
• Translate plant goals into clear team priorities and measurable performance expectations.
• Review business results and manufacturing KPIs to improve supply chain performance and guide operating decisions.
• Build, coach, and mentor manufacturing teams as operations expand to additional shifts.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts addressing production losses, equipment downtime, and process inefficiencies.
• Ensure internal and external customer requirements are met in accordance with company specifications.
• Support environmentally responsible manufacturing operations and represent the business within the community.
• Host customers, conduct facility tours, and communicate effectively with visitors and stakeholders.
• Use SAP or a comparable enterprise ERP system to support manufacturing execution and performance management.
• Work across the Downey and Rancho Cucamonga locations during the facility transition.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Qualifications Needed

• Bachelor’s degree with at least eight years of related experience and four years of leadership experience, or a high school diploma/GED with at least 11 years of relevant experience and six years of leadership experience.
• Engineering degree preferred based on the recruiting brief; master’s degree preferred in the attached description.
• Strong manufacturing operations leadership experience in food or beverage production; beverage manufacturing preferred.
• Strong industrial maintenance background and equipment reliability knowledge.
• Experience with automation and high-speed production equipment.
• CAPEX, equipment commissioning, new production-line launches, or plant startup experience strongly preferred.
• Bottling, canning, or blow molding experience highly relevant.
• SAP or comparable large enterprise ERP experience.
• Proven ability to manage KPIs and improve safety, quality, productivity, and operating performance.
• Approachable leadership style with demonstrated coaching, mentoring, and team-building ability.
• Ability to support growth into multi-shift and 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• Comfort hosting customers, conducting plant tours, and representing the company.
• Local residency and ability to commute to both Downey and Rancho Cucamonga; relocation assistance is not available.
• Weekend availability and flexibility to support operating needs.
• Successful completion of the employer’s background check and drug screening requirements.

A bit about us

Founded nearly a decade ago and with operations based in Rancho Cucamonga, we are a beverage manufacturer and distributor serving customers across the West Coast and Midwest. Our network produces and delivers recognized beverage brands to retailers, restaurants, and other businesses. We are investing in a new manufacturing facility in Southern California, creating an opportunity to help establish production systems, develop teams, and shape operations from startup forward.

Why join us?

• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match.
• Paid Time Off: PTO provided.
• Education Support: Education reimbursement.
• Plant Startup Opportunity: Help launch a new manufacturing operation with five planned bottling, canning, and blow molding lines.
• Leadership Impact: Build and coach teams as production expands from one shift toward three shifts and 24/7 operations.
• Start-Date Flexibility: Target January 2027 start, with flexibility for bonus payouts.
• Work arrangement: Onsite; local candidates only. No relocation assistance. Must commute to Downey and travel between Downey and Rancho Cucamonga during the transition. Weekend availability required.