Operations Manager

Position Overview

This isn't your typical Operations Manager opportunity. We're looking for a proven manufacturing leader to serve as the second-in-command to our Plant Director at our North East, Pennsylvania facility. This is a highly visible leadership role at an important point in Welch's transformation. You'll have broad responsibility for production, processing, packaging, distribution, and production planning, with a direct hand in shaping how the facility operates today and how it evolves for the future. Working closely with the Plant Director, you'll help translate our broader manufacturing strategy into day-to-day execution, strengthen operational performance, develop the next generation of plant leaders, and build a culture rooted in accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. We're looking for someone who can balance the demands of running a complex manufacturing operation with the longer-term work of making it better. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the people, processes, and performance of one of Welch's key manufacturing facilities.

Where You'll Work

You'll be based at our manufacturing facility in North East, Pennsylvania, just outside of Erie. This is a hands-on, on-site leadership role where you'll work closely with plant leadership, frontline teams, and cross-functional partners to drive results.

What You'll Do

Shape What Great Looks Like

• Lead the operation within your scope and serve as a key member of the plant leadership team and trusted partner to the Plant Director, helping set priorities and drive overall facility performance.
• Lead the managers and teams responsible for production, processing, packaging, distribution, and production planning.
• Take ownership of daily operational execution, ensuring we consistently deliver against safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost expectations.
• Anticipate operational challenges, allocate resources effectively, and make decisions that keep the business moving.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve equipment reliability, production efficiency, and overall plant performance.

Help Transform How We Operate

• Play a central role in advancing the plant's operational transformation, strengthening processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, moving beyond short-term fixes to build sustainable operational capabilities.
• Implement and strengthen foundational operational excellence tools, including Centerline, Clean, Inspect & Lubricate (CIL), defect handling, standard work, and root cause problem-solving.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, increase equipment uptime, and optimize labor and material utilization.
• Use operational data and KPIs, including OEE, schedule attainment, and Right First Time (RFT), to identify trends, address performance gaps, and drive measurable improvements.
• Support capital projects, process improvements, and manufacturing investments that strengthen the facility's long-term capabilities.

Build Great Teams and a Stronger Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing leaders, building the capability and accountability needed to sustain high performance.
• Create an environment where employees understand expectations, take ownership of results, and feel empowered to improve the way work gets done.
• Develop future leaders through meaningful feedback, coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Help lead the organization through change, building trust and alignment across teams and shifts.
• Foster strong working relationships across departments and promote open communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Own Safety, Quality, and Financial Performance

• Champion a safety-first culture where protecting our people is a shared responsibility and non-negotiable priority.
• Partner with Safety and Quality leadership to maintain regulatory compliance, audit readiness, food safety, and operational standards.
• Oversee operational budgets, cost management, and productivity initiatives, balancing financial discipline with long-term business performance.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable for delivering results.
• Ensure the facility is positioned to meet evolving customer, consumer, and business needs.

Who You Are

• A manufacturing leader who thinks like a Plant Director. You understand the bigger picture, take ownership beyond your immediate responsibilities, and know how to balance people, performance, and business priorities.
• A builder and change leader. You're energized by opportunities to improve operations, strengthen teams, and challenge outdated processes.
• A hands-on operator. You're equally comfortable walking the production floor, coaching frontline leaders, reviewing performance metrics, and discussing strategy with senior leadership.
• A strong people leader. You know that sustainable operational performance starts with capable, engaged, and accountable teams.
• A continuous improvement champion. You have a track record of using Lean principles, data, and practical problem-solving to deliver measurable results.
• A collaborative business partner. You build credibility across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• A decisive problem-solver. You can navigate ambiguity, make sound decisions under pressure, and keep teams focused through changing priorities.
• A leader who develops other leaders. You invest in people, provide direct and constructive feedback, and build teams capable of delivering results without constant oversight.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, ideally within food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple operational functions, including production, packaging, processing, planning, or distribution.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies, including TPM, Centerline, CIL, defect handling, 5S, and quick changeover.
• Proven ability to improve manufacturing performance through operational discipline, process improvement, and people development.
• Experience managing operational budgets, productivity metrics, and manufacturing KPIs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading organizational change, developing manufacturing leaders, and building high-performing teams.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions and influence decisions at all levels of a manufacturing organization.

What You'll Enjoy

• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Take time away from work to rest and recharge.
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: Receive 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually as a non-union employee.
• Development and Advancement: Access formal and informal opportunities to build your capabilities and grow your career.
• Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive base salary and participate in an annual incentive plan.
• 401(k) Plan: Build toward your future with a generous company match.
• Flexible Benefits from Your First Day: Select the benefits that best meet your needs and preferences, including:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health savings accounts
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Additional benefits through Perks at Work
• Paid Parental and Adoption Leave: Available after 6 months of employment.

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $135,000 to $145,000 annually for U.S.-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all U.S. locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and represents Welch’s good-faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Individual compensation within the range is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.