Director of Operations

Your Opportunity as the Director of Operations, Topeka

Lead a major manufacturing operation within our Pet business and make a direct impact on the products consumers trust for the pets they love. As Director of Operations for our Topeka manufacturing site, you will provide overall leadership for the plant, shaping its vision, developing its people, and driving performance across safety, quality, reliability, cost, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing leader to take ownership of a complex operation, lead and develop the site leadership team, and build the capabilities needed to deliver both today’s priorities and the plant’s long-term strategy. You will also serve as an important connection between the Topeka operation, the broader Pet business, cross-functional partners, and the local community.

Location: 2200 NW Brickyard Road, Topeka, KS 66618 [Pet Food Manufacturing Plant]

Work Arrangements: 100% onsite

• Willingness to work extended hours and flow to the work as needed

In this role you will:

Lead Plant Performance & Operational Excellence

• Lead overall plant and supply chain performance across safety, quality, cost, sustainability, reliability, loss reduction, inventory, financial performance, and capital project management.
• Drive implementation and continuous improvement of Operations Excellence, High Performing Organization (HPO), and related operating systems to deliver sustainable results.
• Champion Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Quality expectations while building strong ownership and capabilities throughout the site.

Set the Strategy & Shape the Future

• Develop and execute the plant vision, master plan, capital and expense budgets, and strategic plans that support current and future business needs.
• Lead operational readiness for capital investments, equipment commissioning, and implementation of new processes and capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with company requirements and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Build Talent, Leadership & Culture

• Build a culture focused on accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Lead, coach, and develop the site leadership team, creating clear accountability and strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Strengthen organizational capability through staffing, succession planning, and leadership and professional development across the plant.

Partner Across the Business

• Build strong partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Corporate Services, Marketing, Research & Development, Engineering, Human Resources, and other support functions.
• Collaborate across functions to connect plant priorities with broader business needs and deliver results.

Represent Smucker in the Topeka Community

• Build and maintain positive relationships with local government, community organizations, suppliers, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
• Help strengthen the plant’s connection to the Topeka community and maintain a positive company presence.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience.
• Successful experience leading a plant or large manufacturing operation.
• Experience implementing and sustaining continuous improvement or high-performing work systems such as Operations Excellence, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean, Six Sigma, or HPO.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing leaders.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business priorities into action and measurable results.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage employees, leaders, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders.

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Experience leading within a large, complex manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability.
• Experience building organizational capability and developing strong leadership pipelines.
• Ability to successfully manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Track record of building productive cross-functional relationships and mobilizing teams around a common vision.

The Right Place for You 

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. 

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We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.