Job Description
Job Description
Job Title : Operations Manager Location : Utah Employment Type : Full-Time Reports To : Vice President of Manufacturing
Job Summary :
We are seeking a highly motivated and accountable Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations at our state-of-the-art gummy manufacturing facility in Utah. Certified to NSF GMP standards, our facility utilizes advanced starchless gummy technology to produce premium dietary supplements and functional confections. Operating three shifts across five days a week with a team of approximately 70 employees, we are looking for a strong leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes ownership of team development, operational performance, and cross-functional collaboration.
The ideal candidate brings technical and operational experience in gummy manufacturing, a proven ability to lead through influence, and a passion for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities :
- Lead and manage daily manufacturing operations across three production shifts to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met or exceeded.
- Develop, manage, and continuously optimize the production schedule to meet customer demand while balancing labor, raw material, and equipment resources.
- Champion the execution of key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, throughput, yield, scrap, and labor efficiency. Analyze trends and lead initiatives to drive improvement.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the plant.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with other department leaders, including Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, Maintenance, and HR, to align priorities and solve problems proactively.
- Provide clear, consistent communication and direction to team members and other stakeholders.
- Lead the development and execution of short- and long-term plant objectives in alignment with company goals and customer requirements.
- Coach, mentor, and develop frontline supervisors and team leads to build bench strength, improve performance, and support professional growth.
- Monitor compliance with NSF GMP requirements. Partner with the Quality team to support audits, CAPAs, and training.
- Manage labor and resource allocation across shifts, including responding to unplanned downtime or production disruptions.
- Ensure team adherence to safety protocols and environmental standards; actively promote a culture of safety.
- Support the team as needed, including occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs) or working in hot conditions, to foster a hands-on and servant leadership approach.
Qualifications :
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).3–5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.Strong working knowledge of gummy manufacturing, including both technical / formulation and operational aspects.Familiarity with starchless depositing technology is highly preferred.Demonstrated experience leading teams in an NSF GMP or SQF-certified facility.Proven track record of managing KPIs, creating production schedules, and meeting deadlines.Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a proactive approach to planning and issue resolution.Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams.Ability to thrive in a hot manufacturing environment and support frontline staff when needed.Preferred Skills :
Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.Experience with ERP and manufacturing scheduling systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar).Bilingual (Spanish / English) is a plus.