Director of Operations
Director of Operations - Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Location: Allentown, PA
Industry: Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Type: Full-Time | On-Site
About the Company
Our client is a privately held, mid-sized food & beverage manufacturer known for producing high‑quality products distributed nationwide through retail, foodservice, and specialty channels. With continued growth and recent investment in new production capabilities, the organization is strengthening its executive operations leadership to support scale, efficiency, and long‑term operational excellence.
Position Overview
The Director of Operations will oversee all plant operations, including production, packaging, quality, supply chain, and maintenance - while driving continuous improvement across the organization. This individual will play a critical role in ensuring the facility meets output, safety, and quality goals in a fast-moving consumer goods environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operations across production, sanitation, warehousing, and logistics
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business growth objectives
- Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and food industry best practices to improve throughput and reduce waste
- Partner closely with Quality, R&D, and Supply Chain to support product launches and operational readiness
- Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, GFSI, SQF/BRC depending on facility standards)
- Manage and mentor a multi-layer team of supervisors, managers, and hourly staff
- Oversee performance metrics, reporting, and predictive maintenance initiatives
- Cultivate a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
Candidate Requirements
- 8-12+ years of operations experience within food & beverage, CPG, or related regulated manufacturing
- Strong background in high-volume production environments
- Experience with SQF, BRC, HACCP, and GFSI-aligned programs
- Proven leadership ability managing cross-functional plant teams
- Strong analytical capability with experience developing and managing KPIs
- Demonstrated history of improving operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and enhancing quality
- Ability to lead teams through organizational change and modernization initiatives
What the Company Offers
- Competitive base compensation + bonus
- Full benefits package with 401(k) match
- Opportunity to lead operations for a growing, well-invested manufacturer
- Strong organizational commitment to upgrading process, technology, and leadership depth
FAQs
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