Manager, Operations

Work Location and Schedule DeKalb

Due to the highly interactive nature of this manufacturing position, in-person attendance and flexibility are essential for supporting production schedules, effective communication and collaboration, real-time problem solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives. Schedules may vary and are subject to change.

Want to make an impact?

The Operations Manager reports to the Sr. Site Director and is the engine behind our fast-paced candy distribution and packaging operation, leading everything from inbound raw materials to high-volume packaging and final preparation for warehousing and shipment. This role owns the daily execution of packaging operations, ensuring products move efficiently, safely, and accurately through the facility. The day-to-day operations include but are not limited to the management of personnel, overall factory performance, and the strategic planning for ensuring consistent quality of production, product improvement and assisting in new product development processing and launch.

Ways you will make a difference

• Ensure team compliance with all safety policies, procedures and GMP’s
• Leads effectively through hands on support and visibility on the production floor
• Maintain product quality and sanitation standards
• Optimize operational efficiencies to support the production, warehouse, and shipping of products
• Identify and coordinate operational improvements necessary to deliver the site annual operating plan (AOP). Ensure cost performance gaps are identified, action plans are developed, and resources are properly allocated
• Track operational output measures (i.e. efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, transactional accuracy), anticipating and correcting trends which would compromise achievement of financial targets
• Develop and motivate teams to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals
• Deliver effective change leadership to drive business changes while minimizing people impact
• Builds people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for front-line hourly and salaried personnel
• Flex production plans on a shift-by-shift basis to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies.
• Optimize ingredient and packaging material usage to minimize scrap loss
• Coach teams to demonstrate continuous improvement in profitability margins, efficiencies and cost savings initiatives
  
  

Skills that will make you successful

• Strong knowledge and capability of TPM or lean manufacturing, finance and accounting, project management, leadership, and statistics/logical problem solving.
• Solid working knowledge of the following business enterprises: HSE/quality regulatory compliance
• Excellent communication, facilitation and influence skills
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision making
• Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented, challenging environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to get results through mentoring others
• Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team building skills
  
  

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or similar field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in manufacturing preferred. Preferably food/beverage experience
• Lean Six Sigma Experience preferred, demonstrated by successful completion of a major improvement project
• Experience developing/coaching hourly and supervisory staff
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. and operation of manufacturing equipment (including forklifts)
• May require off shift/weekend work and limited travel
  
  

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $102,075 to $142,905 annually.