Operations Manager

Description

The Operations Manager provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for production operations, warehousing, and sanitation in a processed cheese manufacturing facility. This role ensures safe, efficient, and high-quality production while upholding Holmen’s values, developing leaders, driving operational performance, and aligning cross-functional teams. The Operations Manager oversees Production Supervisors, partners with Planning, manages budgets, and drives continuous improvement and talent development.

Requirements

Competencies & Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Culture, & Values Alignment

Uphold and promote Holmen’s values.

Build a strong leadership culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Demonstrate ownership for team performance and foster an environment of trust and respect.

Take accountability for overall performance of the operations team.

Develop, mentor, and evaluate Production Supervisors.

Deliver performance reviews and manage formal HR matters.

Identify leadership gaps and build succession strength.

Operational Strategy, Planning & Execution

Drive efficient production operations and ensure alignment between staffing, scheduling, and equipment readiness. 

Set clear expectations with operations leaders and ensure daily focus on performance outcomes. 

Make data-driven decisions that positively influence efficiency, throughput, and labor utilization.

Oversee facility production and performance through supervision of Production Supervisors.

Conduct plant walkthroughs to monitor safety, performance, and GMP compliance.

Communicate line performance daily with Planning.

Partner with Planning to ensure efficient production schedules aligned with staffing readiness.

Review operational metrics and develop action plans to close performance gaps.

Review root cause analyses and ensure implementation of long-term corrective actions.

Financial & Resource Management

Understand and manage operational budgets, labor costs, and resource allocation. 

Identify cost-saving opportunities while protecting safety, quality, and production reliability. 

Act as a strategic partner to the VP of Operations and Accounting

Review budget with Accounting and reports labor costing to VP of Operations.

Identify budget issues and develop corrective plans.

Coordinate plant-wide staffing strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

Interface with Maintenance, Quality, HR, and Operations on strategic matters.

Support change management initiatives and ensures alignment across shifts.

Report operational insights to the broader leadership team.

Communicate proactively, clearly, and thoroughly.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

Lead and participate in structured improvement efforts aimed at reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving quality. 

Use data and root-cause techniques to identify systemic problems and long-term solutions. 

Encourage a culture where improvement ideas are welcomed and acted on.

Actively participate in continuous improvement projects.

Review performance data to identify trends and inefficiencies.

Ensure corrective actions from root-cause analyses are sustained.

Talent Development, Workforce Optimization & Succession Planning

Ensures the facility has skilled, high-performing teams capable of meeting operational goals. 

Demonstrate a proactive, future-focused approach to staffing and skill development. 

Serve as an advocate for employees’ growth and readiness.

Coordinate staffing strategies, training plans, and succession planning.

Partner with Supervisors and Line Leads to identify talent gaps.

Take ownership for building talent pipelines for future production needs.

Qualifications

10+ years of manufacturing experience; food manufacturing preferred. 

5+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience. 

Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements (FSMA, HACCP, GMPs). 

Solid mechanical aptitude and ability to respond to equipment issues. 

Excellent communication, time management, and problem-solving skills.