Senior Operations Manager

The Senior Operations Manager provides strategic and hands‑on leadership for a 24‑hour manufacturing operation, building high‑performing teams through strong coaching, mentoring, and talent development. This role ensures clear, consistent communication across all shifts and functions while driving safe, reliable, and efficient execution of daily production activities. The position is accountable for delivering targeted results in safety, quality, volume, cost, and service through disciplined operational processes and continuous improvement.

As a key member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Senior Operations Manager contributes to both short‑ and long‑term strategies related to plant performance, capital planning, workforce capability, and employee engagement. The role oversees operations across Drying, Custom, Loaf, Formulations, Shipping, and Logistics, with leadership responsibility for five salaried supervisors and approximately 185 hourly employees. Success requires cultivating a strong, safety‑first culture grounded in operational excellence, consistent standards, and positive employee relations.

Essential Functions

•              Leads programs that ensure efficient, cost‑effective operation and optimal utilization of facility assets.

•              Manages safety, quality, service, and cost performance within assigned areas.

•              Ensures compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

•              Provides recommendations to senior leadership regarding long‑range labor strategies and capital equipment needs.

•              Develops and implements improvements to systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring timely and accurate execution.

•              Prepares and maintains accurate, timely documentation for all aspects of production.

•              Partners with Human Resources on employee relations matters and ensures consistent application of policies.

•              Executes strategies and tactics aligned with departmental and company goals.

•              Develops and manages operating budgets and capital spending plans.

•              Identifies, acquires, and develops talent to meet departmental objectives.

•              Ensures application of industry best practices and provides appropriate employee training.

•              Maintains compliance with quality, environmental, and safety regulations, including HALAL, Kosher, and GMP requirements.

•              Performs additional duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

•              Develops, coaches, and mentors subordinate leaders.

•              Conducts performance evaluations, recommends salary adjustments, and administers rewards or disciplinary actions as needed.

•              Addresses employee concerns and resolves issues to maintain a productive work environment.

Required Competencies

•              Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across diverse personalities and roles.

•              Decisive, confident decision‑making with the ability to support and communicate decisions across the organization.

•              Consistent ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

•              High attention to detail with strong follow‑through.

•              Excellent active listening skills.

•              Ability to foster a positive employee environment and influence safe behaviors.

•              Demonstrated capability to lead and sustain change initiatives.

•              Experience in high‑speed manufacturing environments.

Minimum Qualifications

•              Bachelor’s degree required.

•              10+ years of supervisory or management experience in food processing or manufacturing operations with progressive leadership responsibility.

•              Strong presentation, communication, training, and interpersonal skills.

•              Proven understanding of product and labor cost drivers and variance analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

•              10+ years of supervisory/management experience in food processing or manufacturing operations.

•              MBA or master’s degree in engineering preferred.

•              Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

•              Experience responding to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or business partners.

•              Strong analytical skills, including problem definition, data collection, and root‑cause analysis.

•              Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across all levels and functions.

•              Project management experience.

•              Experience developing and leveraging frontline employee capabilities.

•              SAP, ERP, or similar systems experience.

•              Proven change‑agent skills with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.

•              Knowledge of TPM, Six Sigma, and other structured problem‑solving methodologies.

•              Experience working in a union facility preferred.

Salary Range: $142,160 - $213,240. In most cases, candidates offered employment expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

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