Sr Operations Manager

Mondelēz International • Indianapolis, IN

15d • $140,300 - $192,940

About The Position

The Sr Operations Manager leads production operations at a Mondelēz manufacturing plant and is accountable for delivering safety, quality, productivity, volume, cost, sustainability, and workforce-engagement targets. The role implements the manufacturing strategy, drives operational performance and continuous improvement, and develops a high-performing organization. It manages direct and indirect reports through servant leadership and works with internal and external functions to achieve plant and manufacturing goals.

The manager leads change and transformation across operating teams, including Integrated Lean 6 Sigma (IL6S), Factory of the Future, Autonomous Maintenance, Progressive Maintenance, and line-centric team structures. The role supports annual operating plans, aligns employees around priorities and KPIs, establishes governance for performance reviews and improvement plans, and ensures manufacturing standards and compliance requirements are understood and effectively implemented.

The position is responsible for the bakery’s operational strategy, including headcount, throughput, efficiency, financial waste, and business performance. It also leads talent, capability, and engagement efforts to attract, retain, and develop a sustainable workforce. The role supports a fast-paced 24/7 plant operation. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexibility to support plant operations. Travel is not required.

Requirements

• At least 12 years of demonstrated leadership experience in a high-performance manufacturing environment in the food, pharmaceutical, or automotive industries.
• At least 10 years of foundational knowledge and experience in a supply chain environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a business-related field.
• Experience with SAP and proficiency in Microsoft Outlook software.
• Strong operational and manufacturing leadership experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
• Experience with safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), TPM, lean manufacturing, and IL6S implementation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, coaching, and leadership skills in a team-based environment.
• Demonstrated analytics, problem-solving, team-building, and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Strong financial and business acumen, project management skills, and knowledge of industrial maintenance and manufacturing equipment.
• Proven ability to foster teamwork and build strong morale.
• Demonstrated success transforming manufacturing teams into high-performing teams.
• Inspirational leadership skills and ability to drive and lead change.
• Strong interpersonal skills and team orientation.
• Advanced technical and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to support core teams and direct reports in a 24/7 manufacturing facility.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Engineering or food science background.
• IL6S certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead production operations and deliver plant targets for safety, quality, productivity, volume, cost, sustainability, and organizational morale.
• Implement manufacturing strategy and drive change and transformation in operating teams, including IL6S, Factory of the Future, Autonomous Maintenance, and Progressive Maintenance.
• Manage direct and indirect reports through servant leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development.
• Support annual operational plans and communicate priorities, focus areas, and KPIs to employees.
• Establish governance to review and control operational performance and continuous improvement plans.
• Drive operating teams to improve technology, culture, capability, and operating systems.
• Ensure manufacturing standards, governance, and compliance requirements are in place, understood, reviewed, and monitored.
• Develop and lead the bakery’s operational strategy in alignment with staffing, expected throughput, efficiency, financial waste, and business needs.
• Lead talent, capability, and engagement efforts to attract, retain, and develop critical talent across technical and behavioral capabilities.
• Partner with internal and external functions to achieve site and manufacturing goals.
• Make effective, data-driven decisions that positively affect business KPIs.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Wellness and family support programs.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid leave programs.
• Education-related programs.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Competitive bonus program with potential overachievement based on performance and company results.
• Within-country relocation support; limited support may be available for voluntary international moves.

What This Job Offers

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