Director of Operations PA

Maola Local Dairies•Philadelphia, PA

10d

About The Position

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and overseeing all manufacturing and operations activities at the Maola Local Dairies™ Philadelphia plant. This role ensures safe, efficient, and high‑quality operations while driving continuous improvement, employee engagement, and operational excellence across the facility. The Director of Operations provides strong leadership in team development, lean manufacturing, and performance management, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Working closely with the EVP and senior leadership, the Director evaluates operational performance and makes strategic recommendations related to efficiency improvements, capital investments, workforce development, and facility enhancements to support current operations and long‑term business objectives.

Requirements

At least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; MBA preferred.
At least 10 years of plant management experience in dairy or food manufacturing environments, preferably in a Director-level plant leadership role.
Extensive experience leading complex plant operations within multi‑functional manufacturing environments, including production resources, capacity, labor relations, and employee relations across all organizational levels.
Proven leader of continuous improvement and change initiatives, leveraging Lean Manufacturing, data, metrics, and financial analysis to drive efficiency, cost reduction, performance improvement, and disciplined execution of strategic and operational plans.
Demonstrated ability to engage and develop hourly, supervisory, and cross‑functional teams; resolve complex operational problems; navigate dynamic business environments; and align plant operations and assets with divisional, enterprise, and value‑chain strategies.

Responsibilities

Leads operational budget planning and management, ensuring cost control, financial discipline, and alignment with plant performance goals.
Leads capital planning and execution for the facility, ensuring projects are delivered within approved budgets and timelines while supporting operational efficiency and long-term asset strategy.
Ensures full compliance with all regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous compliance throughout the facility.
Oversees accurate and timely production reporting across departments to support performance monitoring, decision making, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Leads resolution of complex operational and manufacturing challenges, partnering cross functionally with finance, sales, and marketing to ensure alignment and timely solutions.
Leads union relations and collective bargaining activities, ensuring effective labor relations, contract compliance, and productive engagement with union leadership and represented employees.
Champions innovation and continuous improvement initiatives, leading and supporting projects that enhance efficiency, quality, and operational capability across the facility.
Supports and executes multiyear network strategies focused on improving product quality, optimizing capacity, and reducing production costs.
Oversees hiring, performance management, and workforce planning for operations, maintenance, sanitation, quality assurance, and related operational teams.
Leads, coaches, and holds the onsite leadership team accountable for achieving customer, employee, quality, safety, and financial performance targets.
Partners with department leaders to establish clear, measurable goals aligned with plant and organizational objectives.
Oversees development and execution of training programs for all operational staff, partnering with Corporate HR to strengthen capability, compliance, and performance.
Coaches and mentors emerging leaders and junior management and leads succession planning efforts to ensure leadership continuity and long-term operational capability.
Actively participates in and drives strategic planning with senior leadership, translating strategy into effective execution through the operations team.
Strong technical knowledge of UP/UHT and ESL filling operations.
Understands and drives continuous improvement in shrink reduction year over year.
Ability to use shrink and reconciliation data to continuously improve through local tactical planning and execution.
Other duties as assigned.