LOCATION: IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL BE WILLING TO RELOCATE OR LOCATED IN CHICAGOLAND
TRAVEL: If not located in Chicagoland will travel 100% for this position
The Director of Operations will serve as a key leader within the operations organization, reporting to the SVP of Operations and playing a central role in driving operational consistency, disciplined execution, and performance improvement across a multi-plant manufacturing portfolio.
This role is critical to the company's evolution from a historically entrepreneurial operating model to a standardized, scalable, best-in-class bakery platform, while supporting significant recent and ongoing capital investments.
Role Overview
The Director of Operations will oversee three manufacturing facilities (~450 FTE) through Plant Managers, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while delivering consistent quality, service, and financial performance. Lead the stabilization and scale-up of a flagship bakery following $60M+ in recent capital investment, including brand-new croissant and bun lines already live and producing, an opportunity to turn a beautiful, state-of-the-art plant from early ramp into full-capacity performance while supporting customer approvals, audits, and rapid growth. The role requires a hands-on, decisive leader who is equally comfortable on the plant floor and in executive-level discussions. Responsibilities
Lead multi-site bakery operations through Plant Managers, driving safe, efficient, and predictable execution Standardize KPIs, operating rhythms, and performance expectations across plants Improve labor efficiency, waste, yield, and throughput with direct EBITDA impact Support major capital projects, new line start-ups, and systems enhancements Develop Plant Managers and leadership teams; build succession and accountability Partner cross-functionally to support audits, customer growth, and new product launches Qualifications
10+ years of food manufacturing operations Bakery experience required (bread, buns, laminated doughs strong value added experience) Strong command of P&Ls, labor models, and production KPIs Decisive, hands-on leader comfortable in complex, fast-paced environments Willing to relocate to Illinois, Wisconsin or Tennessee
- strong candidates working remotely who are comfortable with being on the road 100% may also be considered.
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The Director of Operations will oversee three manufacturing facilities (~450 FTE) through Plant Managers, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while delivering consistent quality, service, and financial performance. Lead the stabilization and scale-up of a flagship bakery following $60M+ in recent capital investment, including brand-new croissant and bun lines already live and producing, an opportunity to turn a beautiful, state-of-the-art plant from early ramp into full-capacity performance while supporting customer approvals, audits, and rapid growth. The role requires a hands-on, decisive leader who is equally comfortable on the plant floor and in executive-level discussions. Responsibilities
Lead multi-site bakery operations through Plant Managers, driving safe, efficient, and predictable execution Standardize KPIs, operating rhythms, and performance expectations across plants Improve labor efficiency, waste, yield, and throughput with direct EBITDA impact Support major capital projects, new line start-ups, and systems enhancements Develop Plant Managers and leadership teams; build succession and accountability Partner cross-functionally to support audits, customer growth, and new product launches Qualifications
10+ years of food manufacturing operations Bakery experience required (bread, buns, laminated doughs strong value added experience) Strong command of P&Ls, labor models, and production KPIs Decisive, hands-on leader comfortable in complex, fast-paced environments Willing to relocate to Illinois, Wisconsin or Tennessee
- strong candidates working remotely who are comfortable with being on the road 100% may also be considered.
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