Confidential
A growing, well-established food manufacturing company is seeking a Director of Operations to lead all aspects of plant operations across multiple Southern California facilities. Reporting directly to executive leadership, the Director of Operations will drive execution of production plans, ensure regulatory and food safety compliance, lead cross-functional teams, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a critical role in achieving business objectives while fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and accountability. This strategic role oversees production, engineering, maintenance, quality, warehousing, shipping/receiving, safety, and regulatory compliance—driving operational excellence, team development, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in manufacturing leadership (5+ in food/CPG/pharma), strong knowledge of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF), and a proven track record of achieving performance and cost targets.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage all operations functions across multiple manufacturing sites
Drive performance through KPIs, process improvements, and lean initiatives
Lead cross-functional teams in production, quality, engineering, and logistics
Ensure compliance with food safety, OSHA, and environmental standards
Manage capital projects, budgeting, and cost controls
Cultivate a strong safety culture and support continuous improvement
Set and track KPIs, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational plans
Drive operational excellence through process improvements, cost reduction, and efficiency initiatives
Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement
Collaborate with supply chain, quality, engineering, and commercial teams to support new product launches and customer fulfillment
Oversee capital investments, maintenance planning, and operational upgrades
Manage operational budgets, labor planning, and production schedules
Maintain compliance with food safety regulations (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF), OSHA, and environmental standards
Build, mentor, and lead high-performing leadership teams across departments
What We’re Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Food Science, or related field ("MBA" preferred)
Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
At least 5 years of experience in the
food, beverage, CPG, or pharmaceutical industry
Deep knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and third-party audit standards (e.g., BRC or SQF)
Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, OEE, and process optimization
OSHA 30-hour certification required; HACCP certification preferred
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making
Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
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Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage all operations functions across multiple manufacturing sites
Drive performance through KPIs, process improvements, and lean initiatives
Lead cross-functional teams in production, quality, engineering, and logistics
Ensure compliance with food safety, OSHA, and environmental standards
Manage capital projects, budgeting, and cost controls
Cultivate a strong safety culture and support continuous improvement
Set and track KPIs, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational plans
Drive operational excellence through process improvements, cost reduction, and efficiency initiatives
Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement
Collaborate with supply chain, quality, engineering, and commercial teams to support new product launches and customer fulfillment
Oversee capital investments, maintenance planning, and operational upgrades
Manage operational budgets, labor planning, and production schedules
Maintain compliance with food safety regulations (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF), OSHA, and environmental standards
Build, mentor, and lead high-performing leadership teams across departments
What We’re Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Food Science, or related field ("MBA" preferred)
Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
At least 5 years of experience in the
food, beverage, CPG, or pharmaceutical industry
Deep knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and third-party audit standards (e.g., BRC or SQF)
Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, OEE, and process optimization
OSHA 30-hour certification required; HACCP certification preferred
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making
Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
#J-18808-Ljbffr