Job Description
The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for daily operations and enforces standards of Safety, Food Safety, Quality, and Productivity of the Itasca Factory. The Senior Operations Manager ensures compliance with Ferrara quality and food safety policies, procedures, and applicable standards while overseeing day-to-day production and people management.
Ways you will make a difference
Oversee day-to-day production activities of finished goods to ensure smooth and efficient plant operation
Monitor safety, quality, and sanitation standards to ensure compliance with company standards
Ensure compliance of plant Quality Control programs to meet all Food Safety/Quality objectives in process reliability, product quality, product standards, specifications, and consumer complaint reductions. Monitor operations, evaluate operation efficiencies, and correct errors in a timely manner
Emphasize Continuous Improvement processes in all aspects of plant operation. Analyze and recommend improvements and modifications to improve overall plant operation efficiencies, quality, costs, safety, and sanitation
Develop and maintain key results and performance standards; conduct performance evaluations
Provide guidance, support, and coaching assistance as appropriate to maximize plant effectiveness and maximize operational effectiveness by regular communication with all support functions
Participate in long-term strategic planning, identifying and defining issues affecting performance and making corrective action plans as well as forecasting expenditures and meeting budgetary requirements
Prepare reports documenting departmental activities
Assumes Plant Director responsibilities as needed
Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities
Skills that will make you successful
Strong communication skills
Adept at building relationships and maintaining a culture of growth, progress, and collaboration
Operating knowledge of manufacturing equipment
Leadership skills with ability to motivate and strengthen team and maintain standards of quality
Fluency operating in a highly digital environment and/or managing digital transformation
Experiences that will support your success
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Management, or related field
Minimum 7 years of experience in operations management in food manufacturing
Previous experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment
Experience leading and developing a team of both hourly and salaried employees in a manufacturing environment (experience working with non-union employees a plus)
Experience in a work environment with extended work schedules and specific time constraints; flexibility with 24-hour responsibility of plant operations
LEAN/Six Sigma experience
Data tracking management system knowledge (e.g. Redzone)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Demonstrated experience aligning people, process, and structure with ways of working, leadership behaviors, and values that yield a strong, high-performance culture
Why this role is different
This isn't about maintaining an existing operation, it's about building, leading, and shaping a site from day one. You'll sit at the leadership table, build a team and culture that lasts, connect local impact with enterprise strategy, and help establish a strong presence both inside the plant and in the Orangeburg community.
What We Offer
At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance.
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $98,843 - $138,381 annually.
