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Operational Readiness Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Winlandfoods

Operations Readiness Manager

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

The Operations Readiness Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities required to successfully transition new food products from development into full-scale manufacturing. This ...

STV

Senior Engineering Operations Manager

Chicago, IL

$116K - $133K/yr

STV is seeking a Senior Engineering Operations Manager to serve as a trusted operations leader and ... Support testing & commissioning activities, system integration testing, and operational readiness ...

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Operational Readiness Manager information

What is an operational readiness manager?

An Operational Readiness Manager is responsible for ensuring that a company’s people, processes, and systems are fully prepared for the launch or transition of new projects, systems, or facilities. They coordinate between various departments to identify potential risks, develop readiness plans, and implement solutions to ensure smooth operations from day one. Their role often involves change management, training, and testing to confirm that all operational requirements are met prior to go-live. This position is crucial in industries such as construction, IT, energy, and manufacturing, where seamless transitions are critical for business continuity.

How does an operational readiness manager collaborate with cross-functional teams during project rollouts?

Operational Readiness Managers work closely with departments such as engineering, IT, HR, and operations to ensure all aspects of a project are ready for launch. They facilitate regular meetings, coordinate readiness assessments, and align stakeholders on deliverables and timelines. This role often serves as a bridge between technical teams and business units, ensuring seamless communication and that potential risks or gaps are addressed early. Effective collaboration helps ensure a smooth transition from project phase to operational use, minimizing disruptions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operational readiness manager, and why are they important?

To excel as an Operational Readiness Manager, you need expertise in project management, risk assessment, process improvement, and a relevant bachelor's degree, often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like MS Project or Primavera), readiness assessment frameworks, and sometimes certifications such as PMP are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you coordinate cross-functional teams and manage complex transitions. These skills ensure seamless project launches, minimize operational disruptions, and drive continual organizational improvement.

What is the difference between Operational Readiness Manager vs Project Manager?

AspectOperational Readiness ManagerProject Manager
Primary FocusEnsuring operational systems and processes are prepared for launch or changePlanning, executing, and closing projects within scope, time, and budget
CertificationsCertifications like PMP, Six Sigma often preferredProject Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2
Work EnvironmentOperations teams, cross-departmental coordinationProject teams, stakeholders, clients
Industry UsageCommon in industries with complex operational setups like manufacturing, energyWidely used across various industries for project execution

While both roles require strong project management skills and certifications, the Operational Readiness Manager focuses on preparing operational systems for deployment, whereas the Project Manager oversees the entire project lifecycle. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and find suitable candidates.

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For Operational Readiness Manager jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Operational Readiness Manager jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Operational Readiness Manager jobs in Illinois are:

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Cities in Illinois with the most Operational Readiness Manager job openings:

Operational Readiness Manager jobs near you

Operations Readiness Manager

Winlandfoods

Oak Brook, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Operations Readiness Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities required to successfully transition new food products from development into full-scale manufacturing. This role acts as the bridge between R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams to ensure launches are on time, cost-effective, and meet quality standards. This individual will report to the PMO Director with dotted line reporting to the Operations Director.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

IL Oak Brook

Job Type:

Production Operations

Job Posting Title:

Operations Readiness Manager

Job Description:

Schedule: Hybrid office schedule with up to 60% + travel expectations
Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP,Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.
Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k - $140k annually with additional bonus potential

Position Responsibilities:

  • Lead complex, enterprise-wide projects through disciplined project management practices, overseeing detailed schedules, critical paths, deliverables, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment to achieve business objectives.

  • Lead cost and feasibility response for all new and reformulated products, as well as network moves. This involves coordination with R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and others.

  • Develop and manage detailed project timelines for new product introductions (NPIs) and network moves

  • Ensure all critical milestones are met (ingredient sourcing, packaging readiness, line trials, etc.)

  • Coordinate multiple simultaneous plant trials, scale-ups, and first production runs

  • Partner with plant teams to ensure materials, equipment, labor, and capacity are ready and available

  • Identify and mitigate production risks prior to launch

  • Ensure BOMs (Bill of Materials), routing, and specifications are accurate in systems

  • Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and quality standards, as well as customer standards

  • Track and manage launch-related costs (waste, trial runs, overtime, etc.)

  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency during scale-up

  • Support post-launch cost optimization efforts

  • Proactively identify risks to timelines, cost, or quality

  • Lead problem-solving efforts during trials and initial production

  • Escalate issues appropriately with recommended solutions

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or product commercialization

  • Bachelor's Degree in Project Management, Supply Chain, Business or related field is preferred

  • Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and plant operations is highly preferred

  • Experience with new product launches or plant trials preferred

  • Experience with ERP systems (SAP)

  • Experience with stage-gate or commercialization processes

  • Understanding of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, FSMA)

  • PMP Certification is preferred

  • Lean / Six Sigma experience is a plus

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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