Director of Operations / Plant Manager

Cedars Mediterranean Foods • Haverhill, MA

2d • $140,000 - $175,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods is seeking an experienced Director of Operations / Plant Manager to lead our fast-paced, 24/7 food manufacturing operation in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This is a senior plant leadership role with overall responsibility for operational performance, including production, quality, food safety, maintenance, warehousing, planning, productivity, cost control, and employee development. We are looking for a hands-on operations leader who understands high-volume food manufacturing, knows how to lead through managers and supervisors, and can establish clear expectations, measure performance, drive accountability, and continuously improve plant results.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive management leadership experience, preferably in a high-volume, multi-faceted food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading plant operations through managers and supervisors across multiple shifts.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, capacity planning, production planning, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, and food-safety requirements.
• Strong understanding of labor, material, waste, productivity, and operating costs.
• Proven ability to establish goals, measure performance, solve problems, and drive accountability.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and critical-thinking skills.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations, or another related technical field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for plant operations and operational results across all shifts.
• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a strong team of managers and supervisors.
• Establish measurable goals and KPIs for production, productivity, labor efficiency, yield, waste, downtime, quality, safety, service, and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement in throughput, efficiency, waste reduction, cost control, and overall plant performance.
• Identify operational constraints and develop action plans to improve capacity and production results.
• Oversee capacity and production planning and translate production requirements into effective operating plans.
• Ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place for equipment downtime, staffing challenges, material shortages, quality issues, and other operational disruptions.
• Evaluate labor, material, waste, productivity, and operating costs and identify opportunities for improved resource utilization.
• Partner closely with Quality, Maintenance, Planning, Warehousing, HR, R&D, Sales, and Marketing.
• Maintain overall accountability for compliance with OSHA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, and other applicable food-safety requirements.
• Partner with Quality leadership on audits, corrective actions, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure safety, food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements are fully integrated into operational planning and decision-making.
• Work closely with Sales and Marketing to align operational capabilities with customer requirements, new business opportunities, product launches, and changing market demands.
• Support R&D and commercialization efforts related to new products, manufacturing capabilities, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities for process, equipment, technology, and organizational improvements.
• Provide senior leadership with regular reporting on plant performance, challenges, opportunities, and progress toward operational goals.
• Develop employees for increased responsibility and succession opportunities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care FSA
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid and protected leave benefits in accordance with applicable company policies and federal and Massachusetts law

What This Job Offers

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