Director of Operations

KCO Resource Management provided pay range

This range is provided by KCO Resource Management. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$170,000.00/yr - $220,000.00/yr

Director of Recruiting at KCO Resource Management - Focusing on the Natural/Organic & Dairy Industry

We’re working with a well-established and growing food & beverage manufacturer that is looking to fill an operations leadership position that will oversee two locations. Must have a background that includes over a decade of leadership experience in the food manufacturing industry with proven experience leading multiple locations with capital project experience with a continuous improvement mindset.

Job Responsibilities

• Create an organizational structure for manufacturing operations that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Implement the strategic vision for manufacturing in alignment business objectives.
• Coordinate with leadership to establish manufacturing KPIs, performance targets, and long-range operational plans.
• Partake in the evaluation and recommendation of new products and processing capabilities
• Deliver overall direction and accountability for daily operations across two manufacturing facilities.
• Lead and hold leadership accountable across all plant functions
• Maintain hands‑on leadership presence in manufacturing facilities, enforcing safety, quality, and operational discipline.
• Ensure all operations meet or exceed federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including FDA, USDA, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
• Create, maintain, and continuously improve food safety and quality systems
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets aligned with production forecasts, growth initiatives, and capital projects.
• Hold Plant Managers accountable for labor efficiency, operating expenses, inventory management, and budget
• Assess operational performance and financial results, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance asset utilization.
• Lead multi‑year cost reduction and efficiency initiatives while maintaining product quality and service reliability.
• Provide executive oversight of capital projects, including scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, equipment selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance leadership to oversee utilities, wastewater treatment, preventive maintenance programs, and infrastructure reliability.
• Apply continuous improvement and project management tools to ensure capital projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Collaborate with Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and Finance to ensure manufacturing capabilities align with customer requirements and business priorities.
• Support new product development, scale‑up, and commercialization of ingredients and consumer products.
• Serve as the primary operational interface with external regulators, customers, vendors, and industry partners
• Build, develop, and retain high‑performing manufacturing leadership teams.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning across operations.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork
• Ensure effective delivery of operational, food safety, technical, and leadership training programs.
• Champion a strong food safety and quality culture across all facilities.
• Ensure accurate and current manufacturing protocols, SOPs, and product specifications are maintained and followed.
• Lead or support investigations of consumer and customer complaints in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Ensure employees are trained and perform their duties in a safe, sanitary, and efficient manner.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing (dairy preferred)
• Proven experience leading multi‑site manufacturing operations and large, diverse teams.
• Demonstrated success managing operating budgets, capital planning, and financial performance.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and operational excellence tools.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence effectively from the production floor to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead teams of technical and non‑technical professionals.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management and engineering tools
• Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.
• Physically capable of standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and twisting
• Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately
• Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Manufacturing, Management, and Production

Industries

Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Inferred from the description for this job

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance

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