Director of Operations – Specialty Food & CPG Manufacturing
Location: Northern Indiana Region (On-Site)
A specialty food and consumer packaged goods manufacturer producing custom-formulated, shelf-stable products for national private label and branded partners is seeking a Director of Operations to lead plant-wide strategy, performance, and people development. This is a critical leadership role overseeing production, quality systems, planning, supply chain coordination, safety, and continuous improvement in a high-mix, multi-SKU environment.
Position Overview
The Director of Operations will ensure the facility consistently delivers safe, high-quality, cost-effective products while supporting customer requirements and ongoing expansion initiatives. The position requires a hands-on leader who can strengthen operational discipline, communication flow, and accountability across all levels of the plant.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead day-to-day plant operations, throughput, and labor planning
• Implement KPI frameworks for run efficiencies, downtime, cost-per-unit, scrap, and service levels
• Build proactive safety culture, regulatory compliance, documentation, and audit readiness
• Strengthen communication between production, supply chain, quality, and maintenance
• Partner with maintenance and engineering to reduce downtime and enhance preventive programs
• Standardize processes across shifts and functions, driving continuous improvement
• Support customer-driven changeovers, scale-up activity, and new product introductions
• Develop supervisors and department leaders with measurable expectations and structured coaching
Candidate Profile
• Leadership experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or regulated specialty batch/process operations
• Proven track record improving yield, cost structure, throughput, and labor utilization
• Experience implementing KPI dashboards, standardized work, and accountability structure
• Ability to lead change in a privately owned or growth-oriented environment
• Strong floor presence and communication skills with cross-department influence
• Mechanical appreciation or partnership experience with maintenance and engineering teams
Compensation
Full-time on-site leadership role
Salary range: $150,000 to $200,000 annually, plus performance incentives and benefits package
How to Apply – Confidential
For immediate and confidential consideration, send your confidential resume directly to my email at hillary.cooley@gogpac.com and include your availability for a brief introductory conversation.
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.
