Operations Manager

Blommer Chocolate Company • Lower Milford Township, PA

7d • $130,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Blommer Chocolate Company is seeking an Operations Manager to manage plant production and related functions, develop functional managers and supervisors, and lead teams in meeting operational goals for quality, productivity, food and worker safety, and financial performance. The role promotes employee training and development, clear communication, interdepartmental coordination, equipment reliability, accountability, and continuous improvement. It also oversees departmental performance metrics, budgets, capital improvement plans, manufacturing costs, and compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable safety, OSHA, quality, HACCP, and GMP standards.

The Operations Manager leads and participates in site visits and audits, oversees corrective actions, and uses the RedZone platform and data analysis to improve reliability, communication, and operational decision-making. The position works in a general office environment, with regular exposure to the plant floor, including noise, dust, and temperature variation. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field is required; a business emphasis is preferred. Candidates should have at least seven years of manufacturing experience as a department leader with direct supervisory reports, preferably in the food ingredient industry.

The stated base salary range is $130,000–$160,000. The role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on company, business unit, and individual performance. Benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage beginning on the first day of hire, a 401(k), pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, and 10 pounds of free chocolate for the employee’s birthday.

Requirements

• At least seven years of manufacturing experience as a department leader with direct supervisory reports; food ingredient industry experience is preferred.
• Experience in project management, analytical work, leadership, general manufacturing concepts, and advanced or specialized manufacturing skills.
• Experience developing short- and long-range goals and plans and developing and analyzing budgets.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate verbally and in writing with personnel at all company levels and external parties.
• Ability to establish and build trusting relationships.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize, assess business risk, and adapt to rapidly changing situations.
• Ability to identify, communicate or escalate, and problem-solve issues as they arise.
• Understanding of financial and budgetary requirements.
• Systematic inventory management knowledge and experience working with an ERP system.
• Knowledge and application of lean tools, statistical tools, root cause analysis, and data analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the food ingredient industry.
• Business emphasis in a related field of study.
• Experience with SAP.

Responsibilities

• Manage plant production and related functions while coaching and mentoring functional managers and supervisors.
• Lead staff in achieving functional goals for quality, productivity, food safety, worker safety, and financial performance, aligned with operational objectives.
• Ensure employees are trained, establish stretch goals, and support continued team development.
• Provide leadership through communication, coaching, training, and development.
• Conduct, facilitate, and participate in site meetings to improve coordination and communication across departments and shifts and share key information about production, downtime, and scheduled repairs.
• Support managers and supervisors in resolving issues proactively through data analysis, investigation, and discussion.
• Ensure compliance with organizational and site policies and procedures relating to safety, employee relations, and performance.
• Lead and provide input on plant improvement initiatives to enhance quality and timeliness and minimize costs.
• Use the RedZone platform to improve reliability and communication, establish goals and standards, analyze data, identify improvements, and support spending decisions.
• Establish and monitor departmental performance metrics, evaluate results, and address opportunities to improve operational effectiveness.
• Review departmental budgets and capital improvement plans and activities.
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration to align goals and strategies.
• Ensure facility compliance with customer requirements and applicable safety, OSHA, quality, HACCP, and GMP standards.
• Lead and contribute to visits and audits, and lead related corrective actions identified and documented during audits.
• Promote equipment reliability, asset ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Manage departmental budgets and control manufacturing costs across assigned areas.
• Ensure compliance with established Blommer policies and procedures.
• Model Blommer’s core values by treating others with respect and care.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, procedures, and code of conduct, and follow uniform and safety-gear requirements on the plant floor.
• Manage product operations to produce consistent, quality-driven results; meet work-hour, schedule, attendance, and absence-notice expectations; and promote learning, leadership, and team engagement.

Benefits

• Health insurance, with eligibility beginning on the first day of hire.
• Dental insurance, with eligibility beginning on the first day of hire.
• Vision insurance, with eligibility beginning on the first day of hire.
• 401(k).
• Pet insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• 10 pounds of free chocolate for the employee’s birthday.
• Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus based on company, business unit, and individual performance.

What This Job Offers

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