Operations Manager Operations Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Description - Operations Manager
Business Unit/Region
Global Operations
Date
2/13/2026
Location
Sycamore
Grade
5
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to
Plant Sr. Manager
Line Manager's Line Manager
VP of Operations Americas
Direct Reports
5 - Granulator Supervisor, (2) Production Supervisors, Sanitation Supervisor & Warehouse Supervisor
Key Relationships
The Operations Manager interfaces with all levels of the Sycamore Plant organization and works closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Scheduling, EHS, Logistics and Quality teams.
ROLE PURPOSE
The Operations Manager will be responsible for the organization, planning, direction, and control of production, sanitation and warehouse, and shipping and receiving at our Sycamore facility.
The incumbent provides the technical expertise to maintain, continuously develop, and improve the process in order to minimize cost, ensure the technical means for safe operation, high product quality, and guarantee the desired technical plant availability.
The Operations Manager must also commit to service that meets and exceeds the expectations and needs of our employees, customers, and clients.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Effectively manage hourly and supervisory reports in the safe and efficient operations of Dry Product Blending lines, Granulation Dryer line, Shipping/Receiving/Warehousing & Sanitation to achieve outlined performance metrics in the areas of Safety, Quality, Production, Efficiencies, and Employee Development
• Continuously improve plant safety culture and performance by ensuring corporate/plant safety policies and procedures are followed, positively communicating and remediating safety issues in a timely manner with stakeholder feedback, and being a key leading resource in Plant Safety Committee and similar meetings
• Model and instill T&L values within your team
• Partner with the site Quality Assurance team to achieve outlined KPI's for plant quality results. Will be the Operational leader in site audits and determining root cause and corrective actions in regard to any supplier issues or quality complaints to minimize reoccurrence opportunities
• Accountable to lead efforts in creating an environment of continuous improvement and teamwork by gathering full involvement and participation of all available resources within operations teams with a focus on streamlining processes, reducing excess consumption, and minimizing overall costs
• Work with engineering, maintenance, and operational teams to identify and implement improvement projects around safety (ergonomics), cost reduction, and efficiency.
• Must be capable of leading and managing multiple, challenging assignments concurrently while moving swiftly, decisively, and collaboratively
• Recognized and respected as an expert in several major process areas.
• Exerts strong, independent leadership. Anticipates and resolves priority conflicts. Willing to assist and share expertise. Employee works with integrity and upholds the values of the organization.
• Coordinate with maintenance department to allow for required PMs and upkeep of production equipment with minimal line downtime.
• Participate in J2E meetings as an element owner
• Adhere and ensure that all criteria listed within respective elements are completed and updated
• Ensure that information is captured in Benchmark
• Conduct internal audits
• Attend fire drills, emergency evacuation exercise and other safety trainings conducted as a leader within the Emergency Preparedness team

EHSQ AUTHORITY INDEX (AI 1-8)
Protecting our people and the environment is foundational to our business.
Each team member is expected to support the Tate & Lyle culture where Environmental, Health, Safety & Quality (EHSQ) are the overriding values in all activities. Every team member is accountable for working safely and complying with all EHS policies, procedures, and regulations relevant to their work and is expected to speak up and intervene to prevent unsafe conditions and to respect fellow workers and the communities in which we work. Included is the abidance with our Life Saving Principles (LSPs), Product Protection Principles (PPPs) and our Stop Work Authority which are developed to strengthen our workplace safety, prevent serious injury or loss of life.
EHSQ Authority index
Number
Element owner
1
Element support
2
EHSQ committee
3
EHSQ strategy definer
4
EHSQ strategy promoter
5
Benchmark data manager
6
Internal communication owner
7
EHSQ critical role
8
Salary range for this position: $90,100 - $150,100/yr
All employees are responsible for:

• Compliance with procedures that implement the requirements of the EHSQ policies and procedures.
• Being responsible for their own actions.
• Carrying out their work in a manner which does not present a risk to themselves, others or the environment.
• Reporting all incidents, defects, hazards, and inadequacies of procedures so that appropriate review and corrective action can be taken.
• Suggesting improvements and being active in the general improvement of all systems and methods of work to ensure EHSQ support activities and services are carried out in a safe, environmentally responsible, reliable, and cost-effective manner.

As a strategic member of the Management Team incumbent shares overall responsibility for:

• Leading, modelling, and area accountability of adherence to global / local EHSQS Policy and Procedures
• Actively communicating leadership and commitment that is visible to the organization
• Ensuring knowledge and skills are developed to effectively apply the EHSQS systems and standards
• Ensuring that appropriate resources are made available to provide continual progress towards the fulfilment of T&L's environmental, health, safety and food safety policy goals
• The achievement of its facility-specific environmental health and safety objectives and targets
• Reviewing the EHSQS system to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, effectiveness
• Participate in the determination of objectives and targets relating to T&L's risk assessment and environmental, health and safety aspects
• Understand the lifesaving and product protection principles and how they apply to TLIA's work environment

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The incumbent will be measured against site AOP targets, EHS, Quality, Production, Reliability and Leadership goals.
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
COMPETENCIES

• Most of the incumbent's time is spent on planning and organizing.
• Possessing a strong, positive safety mindset while performing all functions/activities.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing GMPs, standard safety policies, food safety protocols, and HACCP.
• Continuous Improvement
• Internal / External Auditing
• Financial Acumen: Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Cultivate Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful
• Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals.
• Basic knowledge in EHSQS & behavior
• Knowledge on J2E and its principles
• Data Analysis and interpretation
• Gap identification and solutions providing
• Communication Skills
• Use of SAP
• Use of Workday

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Engineering with 4+ years' experience or equivalent work experiences in progressive plant operations management.

EXPERIENCE

• Prior operational experience with dry powder blending/handling, shipping/receiving, and packaging preferred
• Experience with project management/execution of projects up to $1.0 M
• Prior management experience in a food manufacturing setting

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to plan, execute actions, and coordinate individuals/teams to meet objectives
• Leadership and development skills
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities
• SOP development
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
• Drives Engagement: Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Dependable and punctual in meeting expectations for attendance and performance.
• Use of SAP
• Use of Workday
• Advanced Microsoft Suite skills

Salary range for this position: $90,100 - $150,100/yr
EEO Statement
Tate & Lyle will base all of its employment decisions on job-related standards and its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO). Tate & Lyle will ensure that promotion decisions are made in accordance with the principles of EEO by imposing only valid requirements for promotional opportunities. Tate & Lyle will also ensure that all other human resource matters such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff, company-sponsored training, education, and social and recreational programs are administered without regard to an employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, age, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
The successful attainment of equal employment opportunity requires the maximum cooperation of all employees. All managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing and enforcing this Policy. In addition, all other employees are expected to perform their job responsibilities in a manner that supports equal employment opportunity for all.
California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")
The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.
Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.