Director of Manufacturing Operations

Due to continued growth and capacity expansion, Fischer Paper Products is currently seeking a full-time Manufacturing Operations Director to join our team. This role will work onsite full-time at our newly built headquarters in Antioch, IL.

This position will report directly to the President/Owner and will cover a broad base of responsibilities within a modern manufacturing environment. In this role, you will collaborate with fellow management team members to foster a strong, unified culture of synergy and cross-functional teamwork. You’ll get to take the business strategy and cascade it down with hands-on oversight of production, quality, safety, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, warehouse, and facilities.

This is a career-transforming opportunity for an individual who is passionate about developing teams, processes, systems, and growing together towards success!

Who We Are

With a 53-year history, Fischer Paper Products is a family company with more than three generations of experience in manufacturing and supplying high-quality, food-safe paper packaging to nationally recognized customers in the foodservice industry.

Focused on building our future together, Fischer Paper Products is positioned for exciting growth – for the company and each of our 140 team members. We are a people-first organization with plans to grow to 200 team members over the next 3-5 years.

Our purpose is to be a trusted employer and supplier of choice, by doing what’s right for our team, our customers, and our community.

You will enjoy it here if you…

• Believe in the value of building strong working relationships
• Thrive in a high-growth and changing environment
• Delight in daily interactions with all levels of employees – in the office and on the production floor
• Are a fair and equitable leader who likes to help others succeed
• Find satisfaction in fostering engagement, cohesion, and personal connection
• Are passionate about establishing people, process, and technology structures for sustainable growth
• Love understanding how things work – and making them better

Position Overview

• Lead and assist with continuous growth year after year, through innovative solutions delivered in a repeatable, scalable, and cost-effective manner.
• Manage and improve KPIs surrounding safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people.
• Overall responsibility for manufacturing budgets, capital expenditures, and financial performance.
• Utilize financial systems to manage cost standards, BOM’s, actual vs. estimated job cost, and to provide timely and accurate financial reports and cost controls.
• Drive improvements in supply chain; including demand planning, inventory, logistics, S&OP process, etc.
• Lead partnership and learning between departments and ensure best practices are implemented.
• Develop and implement operations strategies that improve execution and provide additional value to customers in a cost-effective manner.
• Devise and execute structural changes needed to ensure success; including staffing, scheduling, capacity planning, and asset utilization.
• Work cross-functionally to support the processes for qualifying new business, developing new products, approving new raw material suppliers, resolving customer complaints, and improving the customer experience.
• Actively seek ways in which to act as a role model; guiding, developing, and mentoring others within the Operations Department.
• Managerial responsibilities to include hiring, onboarding, training, coaching and developing; planning, assigning and directing work; performance management.
• Oversight of driving excellence in Food Safety and OSHA compliance, preventive maintenance, facilities housekeeping and sanitation, and overall representation of Fischer's brand image.
• Foster a high-performance culture of learning, growth, transparency, engagement, and inclusion.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• Recent experience in the paper, packaging, printing, or converting industry required
• 10 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience
• 7 years of management experience
• 5 years leading cross-functional teams to drive transformational improvements
• Strong team development, change management, and facilitation skills
• PMP Project Management certification preferred
• Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing certifications preferred
• Proven success driving lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Expertise in ERP systems, business intelligence tools, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated business partner and leadership skills with ability to scope and understand business needs and define and implement solutions
• Track record of building organizational synergies and aligned teams
• Professional, positive, and people-oriented approach
• Self-motivated team player with the ability to work on own initiative
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative leadership style

What We Offer

• Strong potential career advancement in the short and long-term
• A friendly, business casual work environment
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance company sponsored Medical Reimbursement Program 401(k) with employer matching additional life and well-being offerings
• Anticipated base salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 annually

If you're a hands-on leader who thrives on collaboration and is passionate about operational excellence — we want to hear from you!