Operations Manager

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary:

Directs all operations necessary to deliver the lowest sustainable cost and highest quality products in a safe, clean, and environmentally responsible operating environment. Ensures continuous and efficient performance in alignment with company policies, goals, and objectives while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Directs the manufacture of products at lowest cost consistent with quality/quantity standards; develops and implements methods of achieving plant goals within established parameters of waste, OEE/Efficiency, and budgeted staffing levels.
• Leads daily communications and shift planning for multi-line, 24/7 operations, establishing production priorities and coordinating departmental activities with interrelated plant functions to ensure optimal utilization of labor, equipment, and resources.
• Partners with the plant scheduling team to ensure accurate output standards and an optimized 2-week production schedule that meets customer requirements, while planning and managing crew levels, vacation schedules, and long-term staffing to minimize operational impact.
• Monitors operations systematically using Redzone and other tools to evaluate efficiency and cost outcomes, proactively communicating with the Plant Director on issues affecting production, and recommending methods to resolve problems, improve productivity, and achieve cost savings.
• Consults with the Maintenance Manager to coordinate maintenance efforts and develop action plans for equipment, machinery, and facility upkeep, leveraging technical expertise to address persistent issues and major breakdowns, while serving as the primary liaison between Production, Engineering, and Maintenance during planning, design, and installation of capital or improvement projects.
• Enforces quality and safety standards to ensure good GMP and PPE practices are maintained; reviews consumer complaints with staff and oversees adherence to proper recall procedures.
• Participates in the development of new products and product lines, coordinating plant and packaging trials with R&D, cross-functional departments, customers, and vendors, while recommending capital investments to support future growth and profitability of plant operations.
• Coordinates with all plant departments to provide guidance and recommendations on production-related matters, maintaining effective communication and working relationships while resolving conflicts between teams and departments.
• Directs Production Department cost functions, including budgets, daily variances, waste, and downtime; reviews standards with Managers and Shift Supervisors, implements revisions as needed, collaborates with Finance to address reporting, staffing, and efficiency issues, and oversees preparation and maintenance of reports, cost estimates, and forecasts.
• Participates in the development of current and long-term programs, plans, and strategies to support plant objectives; assists the Plant Director in formulating policies and goals for operations, personnel, financial performance, and growth, and assumes the Plant Director's responsibilities when absent.
• Partners closely with HR on recruitment, terminations, promotions, enforcement of behavioral standards, and employee relations matters; coordinates staffing and operational changes with the plant leadership team and ensures consistent application of company policies.
• Provides leadership, guidance, and support to all plant teams, fostering a culture of high performance, efficiency, and productivity.
• Ensures all plant activities comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing business operations.
• Provides leadership and direction to direct reports; conducts performance and development evaluations, recommends training and development programs and salary adjustments, and leads employee communications and information sessions.
• Responsible for promoting food safety and employee safety throughout the organization.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct
  
  
  
  • Production Manager
  
  
  
  
• Indirect
  
  
  
  • Production Supervisors (4)
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience
• 5+ years in Aseptic, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical or other highly regulated manufacturing environment
• Supervisory or managerial experience required, including direct leadership of production or operations teams

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, with the ability to effectively plan, analyze, and resolve operational challenges in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Previous TPM and/or Lean Continuous Improvement experience preferred, including practical application of waste reduction, process optimization, and performance improvement methodologies
• Strong understanding of manufacturing financials, including labor management, cost control, and budget accountability
• Working knowledge of key performance indicators such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and other productivity metrics

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: Minimal
• Location: This position will be based out of Allentown, PA
• Work Environment: Majority of work is performed in an office / plant environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED