Job Description

Operations Manager – Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Manufacturing

Southern Indiana | Relocation Assistance Available

$110,000 - $120,000 + Outstanding Benefits + Career Growth

Are you a proven food manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced production environment? Ready to take the next step with a rapidly growing national Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food manufacturer?

gpac is partnering with an industry-leading food manufacturer to find an experienced Operations Manager who can lead plant operations, develop high-performing teams, and drive operational excellence. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a company that invests in its people and offers exceptional advancement opportunities.

⚠️ Food Manufacturing Experience Required

Candidates without food manufacturing experience will not be considered.

What You'll Do

• Lead all daily production and warehouse operations to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Develop, coach, and mentor department managers while driving accountability and performance.
• Maximize productivity by improving throughput, reducing downtime, and optimizing labor utilization.
• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Safety, HR, Planning, and Procurement to ensure seamless plant operations.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and root cause analysis.
• Maintain compliance with FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and all food safety standards.
• Monitor KPIs and operational metrics to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and profitability.
• Support strategic projects, capital improvements, and plant-wide operational initiatives.
• Build and maintain a culture centered on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Business, Food Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience in Ready-to-Eat (RTE), refrigerated, frozen, or other perishable food manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations.
• Proven success leading production teams and driving measurable operational improvements.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and KPI-driven management.
• ERP experience (SAP, Oracle, or similar) is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

What's in It for You?

✔ Competitive salary of $110,000-$120,000

✔ Comprehensive benefits package

✔ Relocation assistance available

✔ Join a growing national food manufacturer

✔ Significant career advancement opportunities

✔ High-impact leadership role with visibility throughout the organization

If you're an experienced food manufacturing leader looking to make a meaningful impact with a growing organization, we'd love to connect. For immediate consideration, email your confidential resume to Brittany at brittany.hamilton@gogpac.com 

Keywords: operations, food manufacturing, ready to eat, plant leadership, operations manager, plant manager, assistant plant manager

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.