Contract Manufacturing Operations Director

Conagra Brands • Omaha, NE

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Director Contract Manufacturing, you will lead ongoing operations within the Contract Manufacturing network and guide both the startup of new items at Copackers and the maintenance of established Copacker relationships. You will ensure compliance with all contractual, financial, quality, and operational expectations while supporting cost efficiency, capacity planning, and organizational partnership across multiple functional teams. A Taste of Your Responsibilities: Manage complex and challenging Copacker relationships, applying experience and credibility to influence partners at all levels. Oversee performance and relationship management of assigned Contract Manufacturers. Create a performance vision and develop strategies that reflect both tactical and strategic business needs. Evaluate supplier performance and ensure quality, service, and cost expectations are met through coaching and partnership. Develop processes, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with Copacker contracts including financial standards, yields, quality requirements, reporting, and capacity. Coach internal partners on effective supplier interactions to improve execution. Lead and develop a team of Operations Managers and support resources, providing insights, education, and growth opportunities. Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver results and support annual standard cost development with Finance for assigned platforms or product lines. Independently manage complex or high‑impact projects from inception through execution, meeting critical milestones. Develop and execute negotiation strategies using business acumen, creativity, and market insights. Build strategies using market analysis to address cost reduction, innovation, and new category opportunities. Perform market analysis using benchmarks, supplier segmentation, technology trends, and should‑cost modeling. Serve as program strategy owner for assigned platforms or Contract Manufacturing programs. Represent Contract Manufacturing on cross‑functional initiatives and company‑wide programs. Develop team members through mentorship and ongoing guidance. Travel approximately 30–40%. Ingredients Required for Your Success: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field. Ten or more years of experience in CPG and/or regulated manufacturing, including operations, quality assurance, supply chain management, contract negotiations, finance, and manufacturing procedures. Experience in a direct leadership role plus experience. Experience applying Focused Improvement, Understanding Loss, and Review and Response competencies. Experience with department‑specific processes including should‑cost modeling, selection, new product introduction and maintenance. Project management expertise with demonstrated results. Experience in innovation and commercialization. Experience using modern systems and tools such as SAP, Oracle & Power BI to enhance reporting and operational outcomes. Team development, influence across levels/functions and coaching strengths. Number of Days in Office: 3 Relocation assistance is available for this position. Preference will be given to local candidates. #LI-Hybrid #LI-Director #LI-MC1 Compensation: Pay Range:$133,000-$197,000 The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees. Our Benefits: We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities Our Company: At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request. At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of experience in CPG and/or regulated manufacturing, including operations, quality assurance, supply chain management, contract negotiations, finance, and manufacturing procedures.
• Experience in a direct leadership role plus experience.
• Experience applying Focused Improvement, Understanding Loss, and Review and Response competencies.
• Experience with department‑specific processes including should‑cost modeling, selection, new product introduction and maintenance.
• Project management expertise with demonstrated results.
• Experience in innovation and commercialization.
• Experience using modern systems and tools such as SAP, Oracle & Power BI to enhance reporting and operational outcomes.
• Team development, influence across levels/functions and coaching strengths.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex and challenging Copacker relationships, applying experience and credibility to influence partners at all levels.
• Oversee performance and relationship management of assigned Contract Manufacturers.
• Create a performance vision and develop strategies that reflect both tactical and strategic business needs.
• Evaluate supplier performance and ensure quality, service, and cost expectations are met through coaching and partnership.
• Develop processes, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with Copacker contracts including financial standards, yields, quality requirements, reporting, and capacity.
• Coach internal partners on effective supplier interactions to improve execution.
• Lead and develop a team of Operations Managers and support resources, providing insights, education, and growth opportunities.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to deliver results and support annual standard cost development with Finance for assigned platforms or product lines.
• Independently manage complex or high‑impact projects from inception through execution, meeting critical milestones.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies using business acumen, creativity, and market insights.
• Build strategies using market analysis to address cost reduction, innovation, and new category opportunities.
• Perform market analysis using benchmarks, supplier segmentation, technology trends, and should‑cost modeling.
• Serve as program strategy owner for assigned platforms or Contract Manufacturing programs.
• Represent Contract Manufacturing on cross‑functional initiatives and company‑wide programs.
• Develop team members through mentorship and ongoing guidance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director