Schwan Food Co

Senior Director, Manufacturing

Schwan Food Co$153K — $255K *
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of operations leadership in a large-scale, highly automated environment, preferably in food or CPG industries.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Proven track record of driving business growth and operational improvements in complex environments.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to build trust at all levels.
  • Expertise in continuous improvement tools (TPM, OPEX, Lean) and data-driven decision-making.
  • Familiarity with FDA, USDA, and OSHA regulations.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee all plant operations to achieve quality, safety, cost, service, and production goals.
  • Drive a culture of operational excellence using TPM, Lean, and OPEX methodologies.
  • Develop and execute objectives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and new product integration.
  • Ensure a safe and healthy work environment through hazard elimination and proactive training.
  • Collaborate on capital projects to enhance production capabilities and support expansion plans.
  • Lead, coach, and empower a diverse team to achieve excellence and career growth.
  • Build strong relationships within the organization and local community to foster collaboration.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits to support employee well-being.
  • Generous time off programs.
  • Retirement and financial offerings to plan for the future.
  • Potential for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on performance.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead our Houston-area manufacturing campus, including our Deer Park and Pasadena facilities, home to our growing bibigo® and Pagoda® brands. With more than 750 team members, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead a multi-site manufacturing operation while driving the next phase of operational transformation and growth.

Houston is a key manufacturing operation for CJ Schwan's, with significant capital investment, productivity improvement opportunities, and a strong pipeline of high-potential talent. We are seeking a proven manufacturing leader who has successfully developed future leaders and delivered sustainable business results. Geographic mobility is desired, as future advancement opportunities will likely extend beyond Houston.

What You Will Do:
  • Own all aspects of plant operations to meet and exceed targets for quality, safety, cost, service, regulatory compliance, and production volume.
  • Lead Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of operational excellence through TPM, Lean, and OPEX methodologies, leveraging data and systems to optimize performance and reduce waste.
  • Define and execute short- and long-term objectives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and new product integration, ensuring alignment with business growth goals.
  • Maintain a safe, healthy work environment by eliminating hazards, training teams, and promoting proactive safety awareness.
  • Partner on capital projects that enhance production capabilities and support future expansion.
  • Lead, coach, and empower a diverse team across production, quality, maintenance, and engineering to achieve excellence and foster career growth.
  • Build strong relationships within the company and local community, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration and shared success.

What We Look For:
  • 8+ years of operations leadership in a large-scale, highly automated environment; food or CPG experience strongly preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated success driving business growth and operational improvements in fast-paced, complex environments.
  • Authentic, direct communicator who builds trust and strong relationships at all levels.
  • Deep knowledge of continuous improvement tools (TPM, OPEX, Lean); ability to use data-driven insights for decision-making. SAP experience a plus.
  • Familiarity with FDA, USDA, and OSHA requirements highly preferred.


What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $153,000 to $255,00 annually, with eligibility for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings

About Schwan Food Co

The Schwan Food Company is a privately held company that manufactures and markets frozen foods. The company sells frozen foods from home delivery trucks, in grocery store freezers, by mail, and to the food service industry. The company produces, markets, and distributes products developed under brands such as Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony's, Mrs. Smith's, Edwards, Pagoda Express, and Larry's. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota.
Learn more about Schwan Food Co
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1952

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Schwan Food Co

More Food & Beverages Jobs

Find similar Senior Director, Manufacturing jobs: