Operations Manager
Louisville, Kentucky
Department: Operations
Location: Louisville, KY
Reports To: VP of Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Required- Must be bilingual in English and Spanish
POSITION SUMMARY
The Operations Manager will lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations at Stellar Snacks’ production facility in Louisville, KY. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production processes while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and team development. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and is passionate about building high-performing teams.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage day-to-day operations of the manufacturing floor, including production, packaging, and sanitation.
- Create and implement SOPs for all operational areas.
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards (FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP) and internal quality protocols.
- Understand and oversee production paperwork, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Partner with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure operational efficiency with order fulfillment.
- Manage day-to-day inventory processes, ensuring inventory is always accurate, properly labeled, and organized.
- Learn and maintain comprehensive knowledge of all products manufactured by Stellar Snacks, including bill of materials (ingredients).
- Lead and optimize the changeover process between product lines to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
- Coach, mentor, and develop production supervisors and team leads to enhance performance and leadership capabilities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional departments including Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Logistics, and R&D.
- Monitor production metrics and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
- Partner with the Maintenance department to ensure equipment is properly maintained and operational through preventive maintenance programs (MVP).
- Support new product launches and scaling initiatives.
- Maintain a safe and inclusive work environment, promoting employee engagement and accountability.
- Lead capacity planning and production scheduling to meet demand forecasts and optimize resource utilization.
- Follow, read and understand production schedule and execute
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 5+ years of operations or manufacturing management experience, preferably in food manufacturing or CPG.
- Demonstrated knowledge of food safety regulations including FDA, USDA, HACCP, and GMP.
- Proven experience developing and implementing SOPs and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing supervisors and cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency in production metrics, KPI tracking, and data-driven decision making.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Must be bilingual in English and Spanish
Preferred
- Experience with ERP or inventory management systems.
- NetSuite experience is a plus
- Experience in snack food, bakery, or dry goods manufacturing.
- Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position works primarily on the manufacturing floor in a food production environment. The role requires standing for extended periods, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and comfort working in varying temperature conditions. The Operations Manager must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights and holidays as needed, to support production demands and business needs.
ABOUT STELLAR SNACKS
Stellar Snacks is a fast-growing snack food company committed to delivering bold flavors and high-quality products to consumers across the country. We believe that great snacks start with great people, and we are proud to build a team that shares our passion for food, innovation, and operational excellence. Join us as we continue to grow and make our mark on the snack industry.
Stellar Snacks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.