Operations Manager (Food Manufacturing)

Career Guide

Oversees daily plant operations in food manufacturing, ensuring safe, efficient production that meets quality and regulatory standards. Plans schedules, manages staffing, inventory, and budgets, and leads continuous improvement to hit output, safety, and cost targets.

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Key Responsibilities

Own production planning, scheduling, and capacity management
Manage HACCP, GMP, and FSMA programs; lead audits (SQF/BRCGS)
Track OEE and KPIs; drive continuous improvement and cost reduction
Oversee staffing, training, and labor planning across shifts
Coordinate maintenance and TPM to minimize downtime
Ensure OSHA/EHS compliance and incident prevention
Manage raw material inventory, yields, and waste reduction

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Plant Manager

Director of Operations (Manufacturing)

Director of Manufacturing

Transition Opportunities

Supply Chain Manager

Quality Assurance/Food Safety Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Production Planning Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

HACCP/FSMA program ownership and regulatory complianceSQF/BRCGS audit readiness and documentation controlOEE analysis and Lean problem-solving (DMAIC)ERP/MRP planning and shop-floor integration

Development SuggestionsComplete FSPCA PCQI and accredited HACCP courses, then shadow or support an SQF/BRC audit; build a sample OEE dashboard and run a Kaizen event to apply Lean methods in a plant setting.

Market Intelligence Report

Operations Manager (Food Manufacturing) is part of the Plant & Line Supervision category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$75,000 - $95,000

Mid Level$100,000 - $125,000

Senior Level$130,000 - $165,000

Growth Trend

stable

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Tyson FoodsNestlé USAGeneral Mills

Industry Sectors

Food & Beverage ManufacturingConsumer Packaged Goods (CPG)Meat & Poultry Processing

Recommended Next Steps

Earn HACCP and FSPCA PCQI credentials; add SQF Practitioner if your target employers are SQF-certified

Lead a measurable CI project (reduce changeover time or scrap) and document results with OEE/KPIs

Gain hands-on with an ERP/MRP (SAP or Oracle) via vendor training or a plant implementation project; highlight planning and BOM/routing use cases