Director of Operations

We are working with a leading Central New York manufacturer that is looking to fill an operations leadership position that will oversee two locations. Must have a background that includes over a decade of leadership experience in the food manufacturing industry with proven experience leading multiple locations with capital project experience with a continuous improvement mindset!

Location – Syracuse, NY

Job Responsibilities:

• Create an organizational structure for manufacturing operations that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Implement the strategic vision for manufacturing in alignment business objectives.
• Coordinate with leadership to establish manufacturing KPIs, performance targets, and long-range operational plans.
• Partake in the evaluation and recommendation of new products and processing capabilities
• Deliver overall direction and accountability for daily operations across two manufacturing facilities.
• Lead and hold leadership accountable across all plant functions
• Maintain hands-on leadership presence in manufacturing facilities, enforcing safety, quality, and operational discipline.
• Ensure all operations meet or exceed federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including FDA, USDA, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
• Create, maintain, and continuously improve food safety and quality systems
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets aligned with production forecasts, growth initiatives, and capital projects.
• Hold Plant Managers accountable for labor efficiency, operating expenses, inventory management, and budget
• Assess operational performance and financial results, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance asset utilization.
• Lead multi-year cost reduction and efficiency initiatives while maintaining product quality and service reliability.
• Provide executive oversight of capital projects, including scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, equipment selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance leadership to oversee utilities, wastewater treatment, preventive maintenance programs, and infrastructure reliability.
• Apply continuous improvement and project management tools to ensure capital projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Collaborate with Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and Finance to ensure manufacturing capabilities align with customer requirements and business priorities.
• Support new product development, scale-up, and commercialization of ingredients and consumer products.
• Serve as the primary operational interface with external regulators, customers, vendors, and industry partners
• Build, develop, and retain high-performing manufacturing leadership teams.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning across operations.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork
• Ensure effective delivery of operational, food safety, technical, and leadership training programs.
• Champion a strong food safety and quality culture across all facilities.
• Ensure accurate and current manufacturing protocols, SOPs, and product specifications are maintained and followed.
• Lead or support investigations of consumer and customer complaints in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Ensure employees are trained and perform their duties in a safe, sanitary, and efficient manner.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing
• Proven experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations and large, diverse teams.
• Demonstrated success managing operating budgets, capital planning, and financial performance.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and operational excellence tools.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence effectively from the production floor to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead teams of technical and non-technical professionals.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management and engineering tools
• Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.
• Physically capable of standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and twisting
• Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately.
• Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.