New

Senior Operations Manager - US

Shearer's Foods
United States, Iowa, Burlington
Jan 14, 2026
Overview Shearer's Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer's is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers. With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer's has been awarded the food industry's highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards. Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer's is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community. At Shearer's Foods, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable-and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us. Responsibilities Senior Operations Manager The Senior Operations Manager position plans, directs, and coordinates the actions of team leaders to ensure the completion of production activities in a safe, quality-focused, and productive manner. This position oversees the manufacture of products against budgeted KPIs in a continuous improvement based environment. This plant leadership team member is responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing team leads as well as line improvement coaches to deliver results in alignment with north star values. The role of the Senior Operations Manager is to assure full and consistent compliance with the Companies Policies with regards to Customer Satisfaction, the Principles of SQF (Safe Quality Foods) and Regulatory Requirements. All associates are responsible to report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action. In the absence of the Senior Operations Manager, the Operations Managers will be responsible for these duties. Leads the team through an emphasis on both process and people Communicates effectively with team members through both oral and written means Directs team leads involved in the packaging and processing operations Directs team members occupying plant leadership positions Interviews and selects production line and managerial personnel Coaches team members on a daily basis on the principles of effective production, processing, and packaging processes Coaches team members on a daily basis on the principles of effective leadership Conducts team member training to improve expertise and knowledge of equipment operations, work safety procedures, leadership skills, and teamwork Provides feedback in a timely manner to team members on individual performance Provides training to team members in order to ensure they are adequately trained and engaged in developmental and leadership activities Tracks team members' work performance and attendance to ensure that performance metrics are met Builds rapport and collaborative relationships across cross-functional teams As a member of the leadership team, partners with SSW Manager to plan, develop, and implement operational safety and security programs and activities Prepares or directs preparation of safety manuals related to operational procedures, equipment, and/or processes Ensures that behaviors, practices, and the work environment support a safe workplace by enforcing safety and sanitation rules and principles Ensures operational compliance with safety absolutes Ensures team leads direct team member actions in a quality prioritized environment Develops and implements solid troubleshooting procedures to correct product deviations Manages team leads to collaborate with the quality lab in a way that improves overall food safety and quality performance Qualifications Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of experience in a production, plant, or operational supervision role, preferably in food processing. Advanced knowledge of plant operations Knowledge of basic and advanced methods of training and coaching individuals and groups Interpersonal skills Decision-making skills Time management skills Organizational skills Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the operations team Ability to work within an integrated operating enterprise Ability to manage team members in executing complex programs Ability to work a variable schedule Knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with the essential duties and responsibilities Ability to implement continuous improvement tools and processes We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.