Senior Operations Manager (Manufacturing)

Senior Operations Manager, Manufacturing

While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.
We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Operations Manager, Manufacturing (Packaging) to lead initiatives that strengthen operational performance, improve organizational effectiveness, and support sustainable growth within a dynamic manufacturing packaging environment.This role will provide leadership across key operational areas, partnering closely with site leadership and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, remove barriers, improve processes, and drive measurable results. The successful candidate will bring a strong combination of operational leadership, problem-solving, continuous improvement, and change management capabilities.This is a highly visible leadership position for an individual who can translate strategy into execution, establish accountability, influence across functions, and build a culture of continuous improvement and performance.
Key ResponsibilitiesLead and drive operational effectiveness initiatives across the manufacturing packaging facility, with a focus on safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and overall performance.Partner with operational and functional leaders to identify opportunities for improvement and develop practical, sustainable solutions.Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, and accountability mechanisms to drive results.Analyze operational performance, identify trends and root causes, and translate data into actionable improvement strategies.Lead continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, optimize processes, and increase organizational capability.Facilitate cross-functional problem solving and ensure improvement initiatives move from identification through implementation and sustainment.Influence leaders and teams at multiple levels of the organization, building alignment around priorities and desired outcomes.Support organizational transformation by helping leaders and team members adopt new processes, systems, technologies, and ways of working.Develop and implement standardized processes and best practices that improve consistency and operational performance.Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and other functional teams to address complex business challenges.Monitor key performance indicators and provide leadership with clear visibility into operational performance, opportunities, risks, and progress.Coach and develop leaders and team members in problem-solving, accountability, continuous improvement, and performance management.Challenge existing processes and assumptions while maintaining strong relationships and building organizational commitment to change.Ensure improvement efforts are aligned with business objectives and deliver measurable, sustainable results.Lead through ambiguity and change while maintaining a strong focus on execution and operational discipline.
Leadership ExpectationsThe successful candidate will be a visible and influential leader who:Leads with accountability and follows through on commitments.Creates clarity around expectations, priorities, and performance.Builds trust while appropriately challenging the status quo.Influences through relationships, expertise, data, and sound business judgment.Develops people and builds capability rather than simply solving problems for the organization.Can operate effectively at both the strategic and tactical levels.Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in a changing manufacturing environment.Brings energy, urgency, and ownership to complex business challenges.
QualificationsBachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.7+ years of progressive leadership experience within a packaging manufacturing environment.Experience within food packaging consumer products in a regulated manufacturing environment.Demonstrated experience leading operational improvement, continuous improvement, manufacturing packaging operations, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.Proven ability to lead through influence and establish accountability across multiple functions.Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into action.Demonstrated experience leading change and implementing new processes or operating practices.Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with competing priorities.Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.Ability to build effective relationships with leaders and employees at all levels of an organization. xzbcwsv Experience within food, packaging, consumer products, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.