Operations Manager - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

$90,000 - $95,000/Yr

Fortress Nutrition - New Berlin, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

New Berlin, WI

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Operations Manager at Fortress Nutrition is responsible for overseeing daily production, warehousing, and maintenance within the food and beverage manufacturing sector. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to ensure efficient production and timely delivery of products while ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. The Operations Manager will lead a team of supervisors and operators, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and maintain a safe working environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all aspects of day-to-day food and beverage contract manufacturing operations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of production and warehouse supervisors, technicians, and operators by providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards, including adherence to regulatory requirements and certifications (e.g., FDA, WDA, BRC, GMPs, HACCP).
• Assist in regulatory inspections and customer audits.
• Work with cross-functional teams to build a culture of operational excellence and innovation.
• Optimize resource allocation, including labor, equipment, and materials, to meet production targets while controlling costs.
• Monitor and analyze production performance metrics, such as yield, productivity, and efficiency, and identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinate plant-wide functions such as production planning, scheduling, sanitation, safety and other duties as assigned.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and reduce waste and production costs.
• Act as an escalation resource to resolve inquiries and problems related to production.
• Maintain and control departmental supplies, tools, and equipment as assigned.
• Ensure completion of all required production paperwork, including regular reports to senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Administration of related company policies and procedures.
• Actively engage in safety efforts that includes attending safety meetings, incident investigations, assisting in root cause analysis, and auditing.
• Encourage and foster a culture of discretionary effort among team members, promoting a mindset of going above and beyond in their work.
• Lead by example and consistently demonstrate discretionary effort in your own job performance.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Business, Operations Management, or related field required; Bachelor's Degree in Business or Operations Management preferred.
• 5+ years managing teams in a manufacturing and warehousing environment.
• 3+ years in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite.
• Ability to analyze and organize data to create reports and metrics.
• Demonstrated experience communicating with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate employees, keep team disciplined, on task, and constantly striving for success.

Benefits

• Health savings account
• AD&D insurance
• Paid holidays
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Referral program