Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Merced, CA

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production process within a food manufacturing facility. This role ensures the implementation of effective processes and systems to achieve safety, quality, production, and cost objectives. Key responsibilities include driving operational excellence, maintaining regulatory compliance, optimizing labor and inventory, and leading team development. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring product quality, food safety, and continuous improvement across all manufacturing operations.
What You'll Do:
• Lead and develop teams to maximize performance, efficiency, service levels, and workplace safety.
• Ensure all products meet established quality standards and specifications.
• Establish, implement, and enforce policies and procedures, including compliance with regulatory requirements (USDA, FDA), HACCP, and GMPs.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all QA and production documentation.
• Develop and manage weekly production schedules aligned with sales forecasts.
• Allocate production labor effectively to meet operational and productivity targets.
• Implement systems to monitor incoming raw material quality and ensure supplier compliance with company standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through analysis of production metrics and performance data.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including energy conservation programs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Maintenance, Procurement, R&D, Sales, and Marketing to support operational improvements and growth initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for existing and new products.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and improve product yield and operational efficiency.
• Coach and develop front-line supervisors and team members to resolve operational challenges and achieve performance goals.
• Monitor equipment performance, reliability, and maintenance of company assets.
• Other duties as assigned or necessary
What You'll Need:
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably producing sauces, starches, or fully cooked proteins.
• Proven experience collaborating cross-functionally with Quality Assurance, Operations, Maintenance, Materials, and Procurement teams.
• HACCP certification required.
• Strong leadership, coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and sustain process improvements and operational controls.
Healthy, Diverse Teams Breed Innovation:
Kevin's Natural Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We deeply believe that diverse backgrounds and experiences make better teams, and we seek to attract talent from all walks of life. The team at Kevin's is smart, humble, and passionate and we value a work environment that fosters personal development and opportunities to move within our small, but quickly growing organization.
More About Kevin's Natural Foods:
Kevin's Natural Foods is a line of refrigerated and frozen meals, sides, soups, and sauces on a mission to empower even the busiest people to eat clean without sacrificing flavor. Co-founded by Kevin McCray who battled an auto-immune disorder for years, Kevin's Natural Foods was born from his desire to make clean eating seamlessly fit into any lifestyle. Shockingly delicious and made with clean ingredients, Kevin's products are ready in minutes and always free from gluten, soy, and refined sugar.
In 2023, Kevin's Natural Foods joined the Mars Food & Nutrition family, allowing us to expand our reach, accelerate innovation, and bring our mission to even more households while staying true to the quality and integrity that define our brand. A true market disruptor, Kevin's is the first clean refrigerated entrée brand working to prove every day that proper nutrition can be as delicious as it is healthy.
Kevin's Natural Foods uses E-verify to confirm employment eligibility. For more information, please see the links below:
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