Senior Operations Manager/Production

Senior Operations Manager

• Newark, NJ
• Days, Mon-Fri
• Food Manufacturing
• $120,000 - $150,000

A leading fod processing company is seeking a hands-on Senior Operations Manager to act as the 2 to the COO. This is a highly visible, floor-focused leadership role across multiple production facilities. You will be responsible for driving performance, coaching teams, and identifying continuous improvement opportunities directly on the plant floor—not from behind a desk.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations across production facilities and a frozen distribution warehouse
• Maintain strong on-site presence, walking production lines and observing performance
• Ensure efficient conversion of raw materials into finished goods
• Optimize throughput on high-volume, machine-driven production lines
• Lead large, multi-shift teams in USDA-regulated environments
• Build accountability and elevate team performance across all levels
• Train employees on processes, quality standards, and continuous improvement
• Ensure full compliance with USDA regulations and food safety standards
• Lead SQF and third-party audit preparation and execution
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies through direct observation
• Implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with maintenance to improve equipment performance and uptime
• Support scaling operations to meet business growth demands

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in Food Processing enviorment
• Strong leadership experience managing large production teams
• Experience optimizing production lines and improving plant performance
• Strong knowledge of SQF, food safety, and regulatory compliance
• ERP systems experience (SAP, NetSuite, SAP Business One preferred)
• Hands-on leadership and team development
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Decision-making in fast-paced environments

How To Apply

• Contact: Mark Watton
• 215 999-6430 or mark@axionrecruitment.com
• Job reference number: 2693
• If you would like to find out more, simply click apply.

Commutable Locations: Newark, Linden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Union, Irvington

Relevant Job Titles: Operations Manager, Production Manager, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Manager

All applicants must live in the USA and be eligible to work and live in the USA. Please note, our client is unable to offer Sponsorship or Visa support for this role.

Due to the sheer volume of applications, we will only contact successful applications. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within 10 working days, please deem your application as unsuccessful.

Axion Recruitment is working as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy