Operations Manager

Tate & Lyle • Sycamore, IL

16d • $90,100 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager is responsible for the organization, planning, direction, and control of Production, Sanitation, Warehousing, Shipping, and Receiving operations at our Sycamore facility. This role provides the leadership and technical expertise necessary to maintain, continuously improve, and optimize manufacturing processes to minimize costs, ensure safe operations, maintain high product quality, and maximize plant reliability and availability. The Operations Manager is also responsible for fostering a culture of service excellence that meets and exceeds the expectations of employees, customers, and stakeholders while supporting the facility's operational and strategic goals.

Requirements

• Strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and maintaining a positive safety culture.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, food safety programs, HACCP principles, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Continuous Improvement methodologies and problem-solving techniques.
• Internal and external audit experience.
• Financial acumen, including the ability to interpret operational and financial performance metrics.
• Ensure Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for delivering commitments and achieving results.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creates and supports new and better ways for the organization to succeed.
• Develops Talent: Invests in employee growth and development to support both individual career goals and organizational needs.
• Working knowledge of EHSQS principles and behaviors.
• Knowledge of J2E systems, methodologies, and continuous improvement principles.
• Data analysis, reporting, and interpretation skills.
• Ability to identify operational gaps and develop practical solutions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience utilizing SAP.
• Experience utilizing Workday.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline with 4+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible operations management experience.
• Previous leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment required.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to plan, execute, and coordinate resources and teams to achieve business objectives.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing and implementing SOPs.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Builds effective relationships and works collaboratively with individuals at all organizational levels.
• Drives Engagement: Creates an environment where employees are motivated and empowered to contribute to organizational success.
• Values Differences: Recognizes and leverages diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to improve team performance and decision-making.
• Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and accountability in attendance and performance.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in dry powder blending, material handling, packaging, warehousing, and shipping/receiving operations preferred.
• Experience managing and executing capital projects up to $1 million.

Responsibilities

• Effectively lead hourly and salaried team members in the safe and efficient operation of Dry Product Blending lines, Granulation Dryer operations, Shipping, Receiving, Warehousing, and Sanitation to achieve key performance metrics related to Safety, Quality, Production, Efficiency, and Employee Development.
• Continuously strengthen the site's safety culture by ensuring compliance with corporate and plant safety policies and procedures, proactively identifying and resolving safety concerns, and serving as a key contributor to the Plant Safety Committee and other safety initiatives.
• Model and reinforce Tate & Lyle's values, behaviors, and expectations across all operations teams.
• Partner closely with the Quality Assurance team to achieve site quality KPIs. Serve as the operational lead during customer, regulatory, and internal audits, and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions related to quality events, supplier issues, and customer complaints.
• Create and sustain a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees in initiatives that improve productivity, reduce waste, optimize processes, and lower operational costs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations teams to identify and implement projects focused on safety improvements, ergonomic enhancements, efficiency gains, and cost reduction opportunities.
• Successfully manage multiple priorities and complex assignments while making timely, data-driven decisions in a collaborative environment.
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert across multiple manufacturing and operational processes.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, and integrity while proactively resolving competing priorities and supporting cross-functional teams with expertise and guidance.
• Coordinate closely with the Maintenance Department to support preventive maintenance activities and ensure production equipment reliability while minimizing downtime.
• Participate in J2E meetings as an Element Owner.
• Ensure all requirements within assigned J2E elements are maintained, completed, and updated.
• Ensure accurate and timely information is documented and maintained within Benchmark.
• Conduct internal audits and support corrective action follow-up activities.
• Participate as a leader within the Emergency Preparedness Team, including attendance at fire drills, evacuation exercises, and other required safety training activities.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverages
• Paid time off package, including vacation, sick time, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Telemedicine services
• Multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

What This Job Offers

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