Senior Director of Operations – Food Manufacturing

Position Overview

This senior leadership role focuses on overseeing and aligning operational performance at multiple food manufacturing plants, directly reporting to the Head of Operations. The position requires hands-on leadership across facilities located in Gainesville, GA, Valley, AL, or Tyler, TX, with significant travel up to 50% of the time to ensure consistent execution of operational priorities and standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and provide leadership across several manufacturing sites.
• Develop and mentor Plant Managers to enhance operational discipline and accountability.
• Ensure uniform execution of company goals and safety standards at every facility.
• Manage key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational excellence and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams like Quality, Safety, Engineering, HR, and Supply Chain.
• Implement standardized processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive plant success metrics including safety, quality, cost control, and employee engagement.
• Maintain regulatory compliance with food safety and operational guidelines.
• Support growth initiatives and prepare operations for scalability and innovation.
• Identify operational weaknesses and enforce corrective measures promptly.
• Promote a culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and continuous operational improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience in manufacturing leadership.
• At least 12 years of progressive leadership in food manufacturing, protein processing, or related consumer packaged goods industries.
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing sites simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, good manufacturing practices (GMP), HACCP, OSHA, and risk management.
• Proven leadership of Plant Managers and substantial operational teams.
• Business expertise in KPI management, labor efficiency, yield optimization, budgeting, and operational results.
• Strong record of driving accountability and consistency across multiple sites.
• Effective communication and ability to influence and develop operational leaders.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of ready-to-eat protein, frozen foods, meal solutions manufacturing.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement frameworks.
• Experience with automation, scalability, or capital projects.
• Previous USDA-regulated manufacturing exposure.
• Bilingual abilities, especially English and Spanish, are a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Work occurs primarily in a professional office setting with visits to production plants.
• Exposure to varying environmental conditions such as cold, humidity, and moderate noise during plant visits.
• Physical tasks include standing, walking, lifting occasionally, and using hands for job functions.
• Visual abilities required include color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel

This position demands frequent overnight travel—up to half of the time—between manufacturing locations in TX, AL, and GA to support operations.

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligibility for company bonus plan based on performance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Access to telemedicine and onsite clinics at certain locations.
• Annual free health screenings.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Life insurance and voluntary benefits options.
• Commitment to ongoing career development and professional growth.

Equal Opportunity and Legal Notice

The employer is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the hiring process. The company participates in E-Verify and maintains policies against discrimination related to compensation discussions. Unsolicited recruiting assistance without contracts will not be accepted.