Operation Manager Food Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY
Wow Bao is seeking a motivated and results-driven 2nd Shift Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations during 2nd shift at our food production facility in Forest City, North Carolina. This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant production of high-quality food products while driving employee engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. The 2nd Shift Operations Manager will provide hands-on leadership to production supervisors, line operators, sanitation teams, and support personnel, ensuring production goals, food safety standards, quality expectations, and labor targets are achieved.
ABOUT WOW BAO
At Wow Bao, we believe that life is too short for uninspired food. We're here to transform the Asian Street Food experience from every day and expected to extraordinary and inventive.
Wow Bao is the fastest growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the United States! Through strategic relationships with retail partners Wow Bao is now available in over 16,000 grocery stores nationwide!
Wow Bao has a proud history of delivering restaurant-quality food, beginning in 2003 with the opening of our first location. Since then, we've grown into an omni-channel brand, serving guests through our retail business, food service, Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. Today, we're excited to take the next step in our journey with the launch of our corporate-owned food manufacturing plant-positioning Wow Bao for continued growth across all verticals.
Wow Bao is one of only two brands to be recognized twice by Fast Casual magazine as the number one brand in their annual ranking of the Top 100 Movers & Shakers (2019 & 2022).
WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING
At Wow Bao, every team member leads from a place of care. We believe in creating an environment where team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. As one of the fastest-growing frozen food brands in the country, this role offers the opportunity to build high-performing teams and help drive manufacturing excellence.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Other duties will be assigned as needed)
Operational Leadership
• Lead all second-shift manufacturing operations and ensure production schedules and output targets are achieved.
• Monitor production activities and adjust staffing, workflows, and resources to maximize efficiency.
• Drive accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues impacting production or quality.
• Ensure accurate production reporting and shift-to-shift communication.
Team Leadership & Development
• Directly supervise production supervisors and hourly team members.
• Foster a positive workplace culture aligned with Wow Bao values.
• Coach, mentor, and develop employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and corrective actions when necessary including proper documentation and investigations.
• Facilitate training programs focused on safety, food safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Food Safety & Quality
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, and company food safety requirements.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to address product issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support audits, inspections, and documentation requirements.
• Promote a culture where food safety and quality are non-negotiable priorities.
Safety Management
• Champion a culture of safety throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Conduct safety observations and coaching.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Lead safety meetings and reinforce safe work practices.
Labor & Cost Management
• Manage shift labor utilization and productivity metrics.
• Monitor overtime and staffing levels.
• Identify waste reduction opportunities and support cost improvements.
• Assist with inventory control and material usage.
Equipment & Maintenance Partnership
• Collaborate with Maintenance to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
• Support preventive maintenance programs.
• Assist with root-cause analysis and equipment improvement initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production metrics and identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
• Lead projects focused on safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, HR, Supply Chain, and plant leadership.
• Support new product launches and operational initiatives.
• Communicate effectively across departments to achieve business objectives.
• Collaborate with human resources to recruit, train and mentor team to foster culture of quality, safety, and high performance.
• Other tasks and projects assigned on an as needed basis.
Requirements
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing management with demonstrated success.
• Minimum of 3+ years of food manufacturing experience
• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial, food science, business, or a related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing regulations in a USDA, FDA, SQF, and GMP environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems, and quality standards.
• Preferably someone with a strong understanding of plant startup, stabilization, and scalability.
• Sense of urgency and focus on results.
• Partake in a professional and positive work environment.
• Excellent reading, writing, and oral proficiency of the English language.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, and team leadership skills.
• Perform calmly and effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong knowledge of ERP system experience is preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification is preferred.
• Experience in frozen food, bakery, protein, or prepared foods manufacturing is preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• This is a full-time position based in Forest City, North Carolina.
• Primary schedule to support second-shift operations.
• Occasional weekends and extended hours may be required.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the production facility.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and occasionally be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.
• Ability to work in various environments including cold environments for extended periods, moving equipment, and food processing operations.
• Must adhere to company dress code, standards of production, and use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.
Wow Bao is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.
Benefits
BENEFITS:

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discount Programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• We foster a culture of CARE

Benefits eligibility varies based on things like position, hours worked, and length of service, and all benefits are subject to change, some of the benefits you might expect are listed above.