Manufacturing Operations Manager

Job Title: Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location: San Fernando, CA | Onsite

Employment Type: Temp-to-Hire

Schedule: Monday - Friday | Primarily day shift with start times as early as 6:00 AM; occasional support of second and third shift operations as needed

Compensation: $90,000 - $108,000 Annually

Company Overview:

A well-established food manufacturing organization specializing in flavor development and ingredient solutions. The company focuses on innovation, technical expertise, and collaboration to develop high-quality products that meet evolving customer and industry needs.

Job Summary:

The Manufacturing Operations Manager oversees daily manufacturing and production operations, ensuring processes are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with quality standards and business objectives. This role leads production teams, supports cross-functional collaboration, and drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, operational performance, and cost effectiveness. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong communication and team development skills who can foster a positive work environment while supporting organizational growth and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate all daily manufacturing and production operations
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety regulations, quality standards, and industry best practices
• Monitor key production metrics and implement strategies to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and control operating costs
• Lead, coach, train, and mentor supervisors and production personnel to foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and other departments to resolve operational challenges and ensure smooth workflow
• Develop and execute operational strategies to meet production goals, customer demands, and business objectives
• Analyze production data and prepare operational reports for senior leadership
• Oversee equipment utilization and partner with maintenance teams to ensure machinery remains fully operational and production-ready
• Support new product launches, process improvements, and manufacturing changes while minimizing disruptions to production
• Identify opportunities for workflow improvements, process optimization, and increased productivity
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, safety, and cost savings
• Ensure staffing levels and workforce planning support operational requirements
• Promote a positive work environment that encourages employee engagement, development, and retention
• Maintain flexibility to report to any company facility based on business needs, including same-day operational support when required

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing operations experience
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience overseeing production teams and supervisors
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, quality systems, lean manufacturing methodologies, and workplace safety standards
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, improve operational performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, build relationships, and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Proficiency with ERP systems, production reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications
• Flexibility to support operations across multiple shifts, including periodic visits to second and third shift teams, to provide leadership support, maintain team engagement, and ensure effective department oversight

Preferred:

• Experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or high-volume production environments is highly preferred