Operations Manager in Elgin
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Job DescriptionJob Description
Confidential Operations Manager – Food Manufacturing (Elgin, IL Area)
A well-established, privately held food manufacturing company in the western suburbs of Chicago is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
This organization has built a strong reputation in the specialty dry powder mix and contract manufacturing space, serving customers across healthcare, hospitality, convenience retail, and international markets. With a modern 96,000 sq. ft. facility featuring state-of-the-art production, packaging, quality control, and R&D capabilities, the company continues to invest in innovation, equipment, and new product lines.
The culture is collaborative and family-oriented, with an open-door leadership style and a strong emphasis on accountability, trust, and continuous improvement. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct impact on plant performance and long-term growth.
Position Overview
The Operations Manager will oversee all daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production while driving operational excellence across departments. This role leads a cross-functional leadership team and approximately 70 indirect production employees.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives on the plant floor, builds strong relationships with department managers, and knows how to delegate effectively while driving performance and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead daily operations across production, quality, logistics, inventory, and sanitation
• Manage and mentor a leadership team of 5 direct reports and ~70 indirect employees
• Drive safety, GMP compliance, and regulatory standards across the facility
• Lead production meetings multiple times per week
• Monitor KPIs related to cost, efficiency, downtime, quality, and delivery performance
• Identify and spearhead continuous improvement initiatives
• Play a key role in audits, regulatory compliance, and operational best practices
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and teamwork
Required Experience & Qualifications
• 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations (Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, General Manager, etc.)
• Strong preference for food manufacturing experience
(Highly regulated environments such as beverage, pharma, cosmetics, chemicals, or CPG also considered)
• Solid understanding of GMPs, OSHA standards, audits, HACCP, and/or SQF
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments
• Hands-on leadership style with strong delegation and prioritization skills
(Nice to Have)
• Experience driving KPIs related to cost control and machine downtime through ERP systems
• Bilingual in English & Spanish
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
• Stable, privately held company with strong growth and long-term vision
• Modern manufacturing facility with advanced production and R&D capabilities
• Family-like culture with approachable leadership and minimal bureaucracy
• High-impact role with full ownership of plant operations
• Opportunity to lead continuous improvement and shape the future of operations
Compensation & Details
• Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 (flexible for highly qualified food manufacturing leaders)
• Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire (Direct hire considered for top talent)
• Location: Elgin, IL area
• Schedule: Typically 45 hours/week (busier seasons may reach 50–55 hours/week)
• Benefits available upon conversion (health, dental, PTO, 401k)
If you’re a hands-on operations leader with experience in food or regulated manufacturing and are looking for a high-impact role in a growing organization, this could be an excellent next step.
If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply Button and follow the application process. Energy Jobline wishes you the very best of luck in your next career move.