Food Operations Manager Jobs in Milwaukee, WI (NOW HIRING)

At Pedone Pinsa, we're not your average crust company. We're transforming the food industry with our authentic, top-and-bake Pinsa crusts and delivering exceptional products to customers across foodservice and retail channels. As we continue to grow, we are looking for talented leaders who are passionate about operational excellence, team development, food safety, and continuous improvement.

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of Pedone Pinsa's production operation, including safety, quality, service, productivity, labor utilization, inventory management, and continuous improvement. This newly created role provides leadership to Supervisors, Leads, and production teams while ensuring alignment across production, warehouse, procurement, quality, and other operational functions.

This role oversees daily production activities, shipping and receiving operations, labor planning, and operational performance while driving accountability, communication, and process improvements throughout the organization. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational execution, build structure in a growing environment, and effectively operate in situations where processes are still being developed.

Responsibilities:

• Help define and shape the Operations Manager function by identifying opportunities for process improvement, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Lead daily production operations to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and customer service objectives are achieved.
• Manage, coach, and develop Supervisors, Leads, and production associates.
• Develop and maintain production schedules, staffing plans, and labor utilization strategies.
• Establish operational processes, communication structures, and accountability systems to support organizational growth and improve execution.
• Develop, track, and communicate key operational KPIs through ERP and reporting systems, using performance data to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, regulatory, HACCP, GMP, and SQF requirements.
• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Human Resources, and other departments to support operational goals.
• Own shipping and receiving operations, ensuring timely movement of raw materials and finished goods while maintaining uninterrupted production across multiple facilities.
• Coordinate production, inventory, material flow, and operational costs across multiple facilities to ensure operational alignment and product availability.
• Identify operational challenges and implement corrective actions to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Participate in strategic planning, capacity planning, and operational growth initiatives, and prepare and communicate operational performance updates to leadership.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Support special projects and perform other duties as assigned to meet business objectives.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment; food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Proven leadership ability with experience developing, coaching, and managing teams.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SQF, food safety regulations, and quality systems.
• Experience with production scheduling, inventory management, labor planning, and operational reporting.
• Understanding of productivity, cost control, inventory management, and key performance metrics.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and solving operational challenges.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. 
• High level of integrity, accountability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work throughout a manufacturing environment, including occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.