Area Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing - Base Salary to 88k/year - Knoxville, TN

• Our client, a well-established food manufacturer with more than 100 years of industry success, is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead key manufacturing and warehouse operations within a high-volume food production environment.
• This leadership role is responsible for overseeing receiving, production, packaging, and shipping operations while driving safety, food quality, productivity, and customer service objectives. The Area Operations Manager will lead cross-functional teams, develop frontline employees, and support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational performance and food safety standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop production and warehouse teams to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and service goals.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and workforce utilization to support operational requirements.
• Oversee receiving, production, packaging, and shipping activities within a food manufacturing environment.
• Ensure effective utilization of personnel, equipment, and materials to maximize efficiency and throughput.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, providing coaching, accountability, and leadership support.
• Partner with operations leadership and cross-functional departments to align plant objectives and drive operational performance.
• Analyze operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
• Conduct root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to address operational issues.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
• Support and reinforce food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• 2+  years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading manufacturing, production, warehouse, packaging, shipping, or distribution operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop hourly and salaried employees in a production setting.
• Experience working cross-functionally with operations, quality, maintenance, warehouse, and supply chain teams.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience driving operational performance related to safety, quality, productivity, and customer service metrics.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety standards, and quality systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and cross-functional stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to adapt to changing operational priorities.
• Proven ability to build relationships, influence teams, and maintain accountability across diverse work groups.

Compensation:

• Base salary in the 82k - 88k/year range
• Bonus opportunity of 30-35%
• Company-funded pension
• 401k
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Four weeks of paid time off

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