Manufacturing Process Operations Leader

PepsiCo • Bakersfield, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

PepsiCo is seeking a Manufacturing Process Operations Leader to join their team. This frontline leadership position within manufacturing operations is responsible for driving performance, supporting day-to-day operations, and developing high-performing teams. The role involves leading a diverse group of 15–30 frontline associates across manufacturing, warehouse, or logistics functions, directly impacting safety, service, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position requires working closely with the team on the floor to improve processes, solve operational challenges, and deliver strong results. Beyond operations, this role is highly focused on people leadership and development, including coaching team members, building engagement, and creating a growth environment. This is an opportunity for individuals who enjoy being hands-on, working in a fast-paced environment, and making a tangible impact on both people and performance to build their leadership career within manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or similar field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing preferred preferably food/beverage experience.
• Must possess strong skills, knowledge and capability in TPM or lean manufacturing, finance and accounting, project management, human relations, effective communications, and statistics/logical problem solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented, challenging environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to get results through mentoring skills.
• Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team building skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Six Sigma Experience preferred, demonstrated by successful completion of a major improvement project.

Responsibilities

• Rotating shifts (including nights and weekends) in a 24/7 operation.
• Optimize operational efficiencies to support the facility’s production, packaging, warehousing, and shipping operations.
• Optimize ingredient and packaging material usage to minimize waste.
• Ensure operational practices are followed to control inventories.
• Ensure PepsiCo financial and accounting control procedures are followed to ensure accurate inventory records are maintained.
• Maintain product quality and sanitation standards.
• Flex production plans on a shift-by-shift basis, managing through issues to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies.
• Identify and coordinate operations improvements necessary to deliver the site annual operating plan (AOP).
• Ensure cost performance gaps are identified, action plans are developed, and resources are properly allocated.
• Builds people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for front-line hourly personnel.
• Manage the performance of direct reports through performance reviews, frequent discussions, coaching, and career development action plans.
• Develop team to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals.
• Deliver effective change leadership - driving business changes while minimizing people impact.
• Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally to assist team to solve operational issues.
• Motivate team members to achieve plan goals.
• Facilitate maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime.
• Build and develop talent by effectively leveraging PepsiCo Career Growth and Leadership Models and the Performance Management Process: objective setting, performance and development (PDR), people planning, 360 feedback, and competency review.
• Champion and lead an effective safety culture.
• Coach for safe behaviors and compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Coach teams to demonstrate continuous improvement in profitability margins, efficiencies, and cost savings initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Company policies, contracts and procedures.
• Lead the implementation of the AM pillar.
• Directly oversee operational measures including but not limited to efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, transactional accuracy.
• Directly oversees operational measures including but not limited to CIL/CL compliance, minor stop loss, SRC completion.
• Administer policies and procedures.
• Regular and predictable attendance at the work site.

Benefits

• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree