$155,000–$160,000 + 10% Bonus

Location: Columbus, Indiana

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead production operations within a 24/7 aseptic bottling facility.

The Operations Manager will directly oversee 4 Production Supervisors and will have indirect responsibility for approximately 100 production employees.

This role will provide operational leadership across the production function, with a focus on production performance, team leadership, continuous improvement, quality, safety, and effective day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations within a 24/7 manufacturing facility.
• Directly manage and develop 4 Production Supervisors.
• Provide leadership and direction to an approximately 100-person production team.
• Monitor production performance and operational priorities.
• Establish accountability and performance expectations across the production team.
• Coach, develop, and support Production Supervisors.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination across shifts.
• Identify operational challenges and work with the appropriate teams to address them.
• Support continuous improvement and operational performance initiatives.
• Promote a strong culture of accountability, teamwork, quality, safety, and operational excellence.
• Maintain a visible, hands-on presence within the operation.
• Partner with other members of the plant leadership team on operational priorities.
• Support operational budgets, cost-management initiatives, and capital projects as appropriate.
• Support preparation for applicable quality, food safety, regulatory, customer, and internal audits.
• Ensure production activities are performed in accordance with applicable company standards and procedures.
• Support the implementation and consistent use of manufacturing systems, processes, and performance metrics.

Leadership & Team Management

The Operations Manager will play an important role in developing a strong production leadership team.

The ideal candidate will be able to:

• Develop and coach Production Supervisors.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Motivate and engage employees across multiple shifts.
• Build strong communication and collaboration across the production organization.
• Lead through operational challenges and change.
• Develop employees and frontline leaders for future growth.
• Balance hands-on leadership with effective delegation.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in manufacturing and production operations, preferably within Food & Beverage, CPG, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading production teams and frontline supervisors.
• Experience working in a 24/7 manufacturing environment; experience with aseptic processing or bottling operations is highly valued.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or similar operational excellence methodologies.
• Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, SQF, and GMP, preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems and manufacturing-related technology.
• Experience with operational budgets, P&L, capital projects, or cost management preferred.
• Strong understanding of production performance, efficiency, quality, safety, and operational metrics.
• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop supervisors, drive accountability, and improve operational performance.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Hands-on leadership approach with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a strong operational leader who can lead through people, maintain accountability across multiple shifts, and support the overall performance of the production operation.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a 24/7 environment, developing Production Supervisors, and maintaining a hands-on leadership presence while driving quality, safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Compensation

$155,000–$160,000 base salary + 10% bonus

Location

Columbus, Indiana