Operations Manager

The Operations Manager will manage and maintain 24-hour responsibility for Powder / Fluids production, Warehousing, and operations effectiveness. Manages, mentors, coaches, and trains approximately 200 team members to develop effective and efficient teams by driving production improvement projects, plant safety initiatives, and cost performance programs. Also responsible for providing tactical and decision-making support to the Plant Manager and core operations team members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and directs programs to ensure the efficient and cost-effective operation and utilization of facility.
• Manages safety, quality, service, and cost performance within assigned area.
• Ensures compliance with the organization's policies and procedures.
• Makes recommendations to senior management on long range labor strategies and capital equipment needs.
• Develops and implements recommendations to change systems, policies, and procedures; ensure timely and accurate implementation.
• Prepares and maintains accurate, timely and complete documentation regarding all aspects of production.
• Collaborates with Human Resources in employee relations matters and ensures consistent application of policy expectations.
• Implements strategies and tactics that align with department and company vision and goals.
• Develops and maintains operating budget and capital spending plans for assigned area of responsibility.
• Identifies, obtains, and develops staff capabilities needed to consistently meet departmental objectives.
• Ensures industry best practices are applied and employees are trained accordingly.
• Responsible for understanding and complying with applicable quality, environmental and safety regulatory considerations. Also responsible for ensuring HALAL and Kosher compliance in the Carlisle facility and GMPs.
• This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict other tasks that may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, coaches and mentor subordinate staff.
• Conducts performance evaluations; recommends salary adjustments; rewards employees or takes disciplinary action, as necessary; addresses complaints and resolves issues.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate with a variety of people & personalities
• Must be able to make quick decisions on the spot & support those decisions to your peers, employees, and plant leadership
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines
• Ability to manage multiple projects & multi-task with ease
• Must be detail oriented and have excellent follow through
• Active listening skills are a must
• Ability to influence a positive employee environment
• Ability to drive safety & safe behaviors while maintaining the goal of preventing all injuries
• Must be able to influence & drive change management
• High speed manufacturing experience

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree required and 7+ years of supervisory/management experience in food processing/manufacturing operations with solid progressive leadership experience.
• Strong presentation, communication, training, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of understanding the drivers of product and labor cost variances.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA or master’s degree in Engineering, preferred.
• Experience working in a 24/7 environment highly preferred.
• Knowledge of reading, analyzing, and interpreting technical and business journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Experience responding to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Experience defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Proven ability to work with all levels and functions within the company.
• Skilled in project management.
• Experience leveraging skills and abilities of front-line employees.
• Knowledge and exposure to TPM, Six Sigma, and various problem-solving methodologies.

Hours: This role may require off-shift hours, weekends and holidays as needed. This location is a 24/7 facility, running 365 days/year.

Salary Range: $120,880 - $181,320. In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 500 company, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named #17 on Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators 2026 list and recognized as a winner in the Skilled Laborers category, as well as a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and included on the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.