Head of Manufacturing Operations

Start: 09/25/2026 in Pleasant Prairie, WI / United States

Permanent position, Full-time

We are the world's #1 gummi candy manufacturer. It's a great time to join HARIBO and help spread "Childlike Happiness" (one of our core values) to consumers across the United States. The Head of Manufacturing Operations is responsible for factory floor operations at HARIBO’s state-of-the-art food manufacturing plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin (Kenosha area on Interstate 94).

The Head of Manufacturing Operations will oversee operations for our only factory in the United States. Our plant is a 24/6 operation with over 500,000 square feet, and well over 350 employees total. The Head of Manufacturing Operations will be the site champion for factory floor manufacturing operations and championing a people-centric culture in the plant.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of manufacturing experience with at least 5 years in a Managerial role within manufacturing. Additionally, prior experience in food manufacturing and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing is required to better understand the regulations, best practices, and guidelines required in a gummy candy manufacturing plant. Are you HARIBO?

Responsibilities

• Lead factory floor operations HARIBO of America’s gummy candy manufacturing plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
• Manage and lead salaried factory leaders and hourly factory associates
• Accountable for delivering established goals and KPIs
• Execute strategic plans and implement new plans with a continuous improvement mindset
• Partner and work cross-functionally with other departments including Quality, Safety, Engineering & Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources and other internal departments and stakeholders
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management, Operations, Food Science or other related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing
• Minimum 5 years of experience of Managerial experience formally managing large teams in a manufacturing environment
• Prior experience working directly in a food manufacturing plant or a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant (providing experience and understanding in legal regulations, best practices, and guidelines required in a gummy candy manufacturing plant)
• Demonstrated understanding of and adhering to GMPs—Good Manufacturing Processes
• Demonstrated understanding of FDA food regulations
• Ability to travel domestically as needed
• Ability to travel internationally, if needed, to visit other HARIBO manufacturing plants globally
  
  

Skills

• SAP experience preferred
• FSSC 22000 / ISO 22000 knowledge preferred
• HACCP Certification preferred
• Experience Lead Manufacturing
  
  

HARIBO of America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and maintains a Drug-Free Workplace. Employment at HARIBO of America, Inc. is subject to post offer, pre-employment drug testing. The Company’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, including protected veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. HARIBO also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also HARIBO’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

HARIBO is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please contact the location for which you are applying and ask to speak with the human resources representative or email careers-us@Haribo.com.