Operations Manager
Location: Opelika, AL, United States
Description
ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODS
Golden State Foods is a distinguished leader in the food service industry, offering an extensive array of products and services to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the values of quality service and integrity, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate, and contribute to our ongoing success.
ABOUT THE JOB
The Operations Manager will lead and direct all plant operations for our protein products division, ensuring the achievement of key objectives related to safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction. This role requires a dynamic leader with a proven track record in meat processing and a commitment to fostering a high-performing team. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement, optimizing production, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Operational Leadership (40%): Plan, direct, and implement daily operations, developing and implementing standards to exceed departmental and company objectives while adhering to all regulatory and company guidelines. This includes optimizing production processes, maximizing yields, and minimizing waste.
Team Management & Development (20%): Direct and mentor a large team (up to 150 employees) through Supervisors and Team Leads. Responsibilities include assigning work, providing training and development opportunities, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.
Stakeholder Management (15%): Establish and maintain strong relationships with customers, vendors, and raw material suppliers to enhance the company's reputation within the industry. This includes collaborating cross-functionally to ensure the best outcomes for the company and its customers.
Performance Analysis & Improvement (15%): Oversee the auditing, evaluation, and analysis of operational procedures, safety protocols, quality control measures, and efficiency metrics. Prepare and submit required reports to ensure accurate and timely information for decision-making. Drive continuous improvement initiatives with a zero-loss mindset.
Strategic Collaboration & Communication (5%): Coordinate and lead daily/weekly/monthly management review team meetings, ensuring the presentation of key data for analysis, review, and strategic decision-making. Effectively communicate operational performance and strategic initiatives to key stakeholders.
Additional Duties (5%): Perform other related and assigned duties as necessary.
Leadership
Manages, through Supervisors and Team Leads, up to 150 mostly hourly employees
Performance Categories
Safety First: Champion a safety-first culture through proactive safety awareness and engagement.
Quality Excellence: Ensure food safety is never compromised. Maintain high-quality performance to minimize customer concerns and achieve excellent quality audit ratings.
Cost Optimization: Minimize cost to the customer and maximize return to the company through:
Maximizing yields and eliminating waste
Optimizing raw material usage for least-cost formulations
Implementing and documenting cost savings initiatives
Minimizing conversion costs
Maximizing labor and production efficiency
Continuous Improvement: Be a champion of continuous improvement with a zero-loss mindset.
Employee Engagement: Foster a positive work environment and develop your team to make the company an employer of choice.
Sustainability: Ensure facility targets for sustainability initiatives are achieved.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Certification:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college institution
Experience:
7 to 10 years of relevant work experience in a meat processing environment with increasing management experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of (B/basic; J/journey; E/expert):
Budgetary concepts and procedures (E)
Raw materials, formulation, and packaging (E)
Quality assurance concepts and techniques (E)
Beef processing regulations, processes, and procedures (E)
Management concepts and techniques (E)
Project management concepts and techniques (E)
Safety concepts and techniques (E)
PC word processing/spreadsheet software applications (B)
Skill and ability to:
Expert-level knowledge of budgetary concepts and procedures, production/operations concepts and techniques, food safety concepts and techniques, and management concepts and techniques.
Knowledge of project management concepts and techniques.
Knowledge of the beef processing industry and equipment.
Proven ability to manage and motivate employees in a team-based environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret operational challenges, identify solutions, and resolve complex issues.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) to effectively interact with employees, internal stakeholders, and external customers.
Travel via airplane and by automobile
Commitment to quality and customer service
Alignment with company values and creed.
Treat others like you want to be treated
Make the best product
Give the customer a fair deal
Maintain the highest standards
WHY JOIN US
Golden State Foods (GSF) is one of the largest diversified suppliers in the food industry, manufacturing a range of products including sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, and toppings for leading restaurant and retail brands.
Join GSF and grow your career with a global food industry leader who:
?People First:At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured.
Values Driven:Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work.
People Development:At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow.
Philanthropy & Sustainability:We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe.
Extensive Benefits:Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive.
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