Food Operations Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Position Summary:The Unit Operations Manager oversees all aspects of production operations within a designated unit at the Grottoes' facility. This role ensures efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing that meets quality standards and production goals. The Operations Manager leads a team of supervisors and hourly employees to drive performance, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage daily production operations to meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets. Develop and implement strategies to optimize equipment utilization, labor efficiency, and material use. Ensure compliance with safety policies, regulations, and environmental standards. Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) for production, yield, scrap, downtime, and labor efficiency. Lead, mentor, and develop production supervisors and frontline employees. Coordinate with maintenance, engineering, quality, and planning teams to ensure smooth production. Ensure training programs are in place to support operational excellence and safety awareness. Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for production issues. Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other methodologies. Manage budgets, capital projects, and operational expenses within the unit.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, or a related field required. 7+ years of manufacturing operations experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role. Strong leadership and team development skills. Demonstrated ability to analyze data, develop action plans, and deliver results. Solid understanding of production planning, inventory control, and process improvement. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency with SAP, ERP, and Microsoft Office applications.Preferred Skills: Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification. Experience in plastics or packaging manufacturing. Labor Relations and Union experience is preferred. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

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With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen