Operations Manager

Job Description Job Description Confidential Operations Manager – Food Manufacturing (Elgin, IL Area) A well-established, privately held food manufacturing company in the western suburbs of Chicago is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment. This organization has built a strong reputation in the specialty dry powder mix and contract manufacturing space, serving customers across healthcare, hospitality, convenience retail, and international markets. With a modern 96,000 sq. ft. facility featuring state-of-the-art production, packaging, quality control, and R&D capabilities, the company continues to invest in innovation, equipment, and new product lines.

The culture is collaborative and family-oriented, with an open-door leadership style and a strong emphasis on accountability, trust, and continuous improvement. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct impact on plant performance and long-term growth. Position Overview The Operations Manager will oversee all daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production while driving operational excellence across departments.

This role leads a cross-functional leadership team and approximately 70 indirect production employees. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives on the plant floor, builds strong relationships with department managers, and knows how to delegate effectively while driving performance and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities • Lead daily operations across production, quality, logistics, inventory, and sanitation • Manage and mentor a leadership team of 5 direct reports and ~70 indirect employees • Drive safety, GMP compliance, and regulatory standards across the facility • Lead production meetings multiple times per week • Monitor KPIs related to cost, efficiency, downtime, quality, and delivery performance • Identify and spearhead continuous improvement initiatives • Play a key role in audits, regulatory compliance, and operational best practices • Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and teamwork Required Experience & Qualifications • 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations (Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, General Manager, etc.) • Strong preference for food manufacturing experience (Highly regulated environments such as beverage, pharma, cosmetics, chemicals, or CPG also considered) • Solid understanding of GMPs, OSHA standards, audits, HACCP, and/or SQF • Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments • Hands-on leadership style with strong delegation and prioritization skills Preferred (Nice to Have) • Experience driving KPIs related to cost control and machine downtime through ERP systems • Bilingual in English & Spanish Why This Opportunity Stands Out • Stable, privately held company with strong growth and long-term vision • Modern manufacturing facility with advanced production and R&D capabilities • Family-like culture with approachable leadership and minimal bureaucracy • High-impact role with full ownership of plant operations • Opportunity to lead continuous improvement and shape the future of operations Compensation & Details • Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 (flexible for highly qualified food manufacturing leaders) • Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire (Direct hire considered for top talent) • Location: Elgin, IL area • Schedule: Typically 45 hours/week (busier seasons may reach 50–55 hours/week) • Benefits available upon conversion (health, dental, PTO, 401k) If you’re a hands-on operations leader with experience in food or regulated manufacturing and are looking for a high-impact role in a growing organization, this could be an excellent next step.