Operations Manager ~ Manufacturing

Midwest Co-Pack in Winona is a rapidly growing contract manufacturer specializing in Gummy Candy products.

We are seeking a candidate with an extremely well-balanced mix of leadership, interpersonal, and technical capabilities to join our 2nd shift team.

PRIMARY JOB DESCRIPTION

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations across both the make (mogul) and packaging functions. This role leads production supervisors, ensures alignment to business priorities, and drives performance in safety, quality, and efficiency.

This position serves as the primary escalation point for operational issues and is responsible for making timely, informed decisions to maintain production flow. The Operations Manager must be able to assess tradeoffs, act quickly, and ensure decisions are aligned with business needs and can be supported after the fact.

Job Duties:

1. Oversee daily operations across make and packaging departments.

a. Provide direction and priorities based on production schedules and business needs.

• Lead and support production supervisors.
• Hold supervisors accountable for performance, communication, and execution.
• Act as escalation point for operational issues.
• Address production, staffing, quality, and equipment concerns.
• Make real-time operational decisions.
• Balance output, labor, downtime, and quality considerations.
• Ensure decisions are communicated and followed through.
• Monitor production performance and adjust as needed.
• Respond to changing conditions to maintain throughput and efficiency.
• Drive operational efficiency.
• Identify constraints and implement practical solutions.
• Support continuous improvement efforts on the floor.
• Ensure Food Safety Practices.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ensure compliance with standards and development of related programs and procedures.

10. Evaluate team members’ performance on a regular basis.

Responsibilities:

• Determine focus and direction of shift.
• Remove obstacles and barriers to production.
• Communicate priorities clearly across teams and shifts.
• Support execution of production plans.
• Develop supervisors and promote accountability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and safety standards.

Performance Expectations:

• Meet established KPIs for production, efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Maintain quality and quantity standards.
• Demonstrate sound decision-making under pressure.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, employees, and leadership.
• Provide operational support as needed, and manage break periods effectively

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required:

1. Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and production flow.

2. Ability to make timely decisions using available data and experience.

3. Experience leading supervisors or team leaders.

4. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage, and to draw and interpret graphs.

5. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

6. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

7. Effective problem-solving abilities (both interpersonal and operational).

8. Ability to effectively train/coach employees in program requirements.

9. Ability to successfully coordinate several activities concurrently.

10. Ability to work autonomously.

11. General knowledge of HACCP, SSOP, GMPs, SOPs, Safety, and training programs.

12. Proficient in computer software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) skills.

13. Machines, tools, equipment and/or work aids that may represent, but are not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this job.

14. The ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals & job safety analysis, etc.

15. The ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

16. Able to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, and staff.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. (Occasionally =up to 33%, Frequently =34-66%, Regularly =more than 66%). While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, talk, hear; use hands to lift 56 pounds,grasp, manipulate and handle boxes, bags, pails, controls, and supplies; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works around food production equipment and moving mechanical parts and may occasionally work near cutting tools. The position is performed in a manufacturing environment where wet or humid conditions may be present due to routine cleaning and sanitation activities. Employees may have limited exposure to standard cleaning and sanitation chemicals used in food production.

This role may require climbing ladders or stairs and working in areas where noise levels are moderate to high. Temperature conditions in certain production areas may be warm due to equipment operation and the manufacturing process.

Although this is a fair and accurate description of the duties, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions of this position it is not all inclusive.

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Supply Chain

Management and Operations Management.

Benefits:

· Matching 401(k) availability

· Paid Time Off earned from your 1st day of work!

· 8 paid holidays

· Health, Dental, Vision available

Hours:

· 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm Monday ~ Friday / 2nd Shift

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $75,000