The Operations Readiness Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities required to successfully transition new food products from development into full-scale manufacturing. This role acts as the bridge between R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams to ensure launches are on time, cost-effective, and meet quality standards. This individual will report to the PMO Director with dotted line reporting to the Operations Director.
Employee Type:Full time
Location:IL Oak Brook
Job Type:Production Operations
Job Posting Title:Operations Readiness Manager
Job Description:Schedule: Hybrid office schedule with up to 60% + travel expectations
Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.
Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k - $140k annually with additional bonus potential
Position Responsibilities:- Lead complex, enterprise-wide projects through disciplined project management practices, overseeing detailed schedules, critical paths, deliverables, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment to achieve business objectives.
- Lead cost and feasibility response for all new and reformulated products, as well as network moves. This involves coordination with R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and others.
- Develop and manage detailed project timelines for new product introductions (NPIs) and network moves
- Ensure all critical milestones are met (ingredient sourcing, packaging readiness, line trials, etc.)
- Coordinate multiple simultaneous plant trials, scale-ups, and first production runs
- Partner with plant teams to ensure materials, equipment, labor, and capacity are ready and available
- Identify and mitigate production risks prior to launch
- Ensure BOMs (Bill of Materials), routing, and specifications are accurate in systems
- Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and quality standards, as well as customer standards
- Track and manage launch-related costs (waste, trial runs, overtime, etc.)
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency during scale-up
- Support post-launch cost optimization efforts
- Proactively identify risks to timelines, cost, or quality
- Lead problem-solving efforts during trials and initial production
- Escalate issues appropriately with recommended solutions
Qualifications and Requirements:- 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or product commercialization
- Bachelor's Degree in Project Management, Supply Chain, Business or related field is preferred
- Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and plant operations is highly preferred
- Experience with new product launches or plant trials preferred
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP)
- Experience with stage-gate or commercialization processes
- Understanding of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, FSMA)
- PMP Certification is preferred
- Lean / Six Sigma experience is a plus
