Operations Manager (Pilot Plant)

Reporting to the Pilot Plant Manager, you will provide operational support and project leadership for business growth and productivity initiatives. You will serve as the Operations Lead and primary Research & Development contact for assigned business teams, ensuring alignment of priorities and effective resource utilization across Supply Chain functions.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Research & Development liaison to assigned business teams, supporting growth and cost and key performance indicator achievement for designated product categories and plants.

• Lead portfolio and program management processes, applying project management tools and stage gate models to ensure prioritization and execution.

• Manage commercialization projects for new products and offerings, coordinating cost build-up, material readiness, scale-up activities, and launch metrics.

• Drive cost improvement initiatives and support plant performance enhancement efforts to meet annual targets.

• Collaborate with business teams to optimize product offerings and resource utilization.

• Review and assist with implementation of plant budgets and identify savings opportunities to support budget adherence.

• Support ingredient and supply ordering for plant operations and monitor inventory to ensure material availability.

• Promote and enforce safety policies and procedures within the plant environment.

• Partner with Plants, Logistics, Sales & Operations Planning, Purchasing, Research, Quality & Innovation, Technology, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Finance, and cross-functional business teams.

• Manage external relationships with material suppliers, co-manufacturers, and equipment vendors.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• High school diploma or GED.

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, engineering, pilot plant operations, or other Supply Chain functions.

• Experience supporting pilot plant, manufacturing, or product scale-up operations.

• Experience supporting new product commercialization and start-up procedures.

• Exposure to multiple Supply Chain disciplines including Purchasing, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Research, Quality & Innovation.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, plant operations, and cost management.

• Knowledge of ingredient management, material planning, and production scheduling.

• Experience leading cross-functional commercialization and plant-based projects.

• Experience coordinating product trials, scale-up activities, and launch readiness.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

• Experience using SAP or similar systems to support manufacturing operations, inventory management, and material planning.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence in a manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:

You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.

You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.

This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

You will be onsite 5 days per week.

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