Strategic Operations Leader - Lean & Growth

L.A. Darling Company; Paragould, Northern (AR, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

L.A. Darling Company in Paragould, AR is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead all manufacturing and operational activities at our LA Darling facility.

You will drive safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability while supporting customer satisfaction. As a member of the leadership team, you will oversee planning, logistics, maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives, partnering with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, and Sales to meet site

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years manufacturing or operations leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing and operational functions with safety and cost control.
• Develop and execute strategies for growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive Lean, continuous improvement, and KPI accountability.
• Oversee production planning, inventory, logistics, and maintenance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Budgeting & Finance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

L.A. Darling Company in Paragould, AR is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead all manufacturing and operational activities at our LA Darling facility.

You will drive safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability while supporting customer satisfaction. As a member of the leadership team, you will oversee planning, logistics, maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives, partnering with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, and Sales to meet site