Senior Operations Manager (Senior Value Stream Manager)

 

Nature’s Bakery is excited to announce the expansion of our manufacturing facility with the launch of a new production line dedicated to supporting our sister company - Tru Fru. This strategic investment underscores our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering high-quality products to our customers. As we embark on this new chapter, we are seeking passionate and experienced leaders to help drive the success of this initiative and ensure seamless integration with our existing operations.

 

Position Summary

The Senior Value Stream Manager (Senior Operations Manager supporting Tru Fru) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing end-to-end manufacturing operations across specific production lines and shifts within our Nature’s Bakery factory.  This is a Nature’s Bakery employee that will serve as the primary liaison for key manufacturing partnership with Tru Fru, ensuring seamless collaboration and mutual value creation.

You will lead cross-functional teams to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality production while managing strategic external relationships. Your blend of operational expertise and partnership management will be critical to the site’s ongoing success and growth.

 

Key Responsibilities

Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact and ambassador for Tru Fru within our manufacturing partnership.
• Foster transparent, proactive communication to resolve issues and ensure operational performance meets or exceeds expectations for all parties.
• Support contract negotiations, business planning, and strategic alignment with partners.
• Drive cost-sharing initiatives and identify opportunities for joint process optimization.
• Lead structured governance routines with partner leadership, including performance reviews and recovery planning.
• Ensure site execution aligns with service level agreements and commercial commitments.

Operational Leadership

• Direct production teams across multiple lines and shifts, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
• Implement daily governance and rapid escalation protocols to maintain operational stability.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations to optimize line performance and achieve design capacity.
• Oversee capacity planning, equipment utilization, maintenance, and scheduling to maximize productivity.
• Champion the Nature’s Bakery Operating System, ensuring all operational procedures are current and effective.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor associates to build a high-performing, engaged workforce.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and alignment with Nature’s Bakery’s core values.
• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans to ensure future leadership continuity.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet or exceed quality and food safety standards.
• Lead ongoing quality and food safety improvement initiatives.
• Prepare for and support regulatory and third-party audits, maintaining full compliance with industry standards.

Site Leadership & Crisis Management

• Collaborate with site leadership to develop and execute both short- and long-term strategic plans.
• Identify and recommend new technologies and process improvements to maintain site competitiveness and operational excellence.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, with a preference for food production environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in continuous improvement methodologies and problem-solving.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and audit processes (FSMA/PCQI certification preferred).

 

The Good Stuff – Benefits
Our team members' physical and mental health is important to a thriving workplace. That’s why we offer the following benefits to full-time employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered for eligible employees
• 401(k) plan with a company match that vest on day 1 of eligibility
• Paid vacation 
• Paid time off 
• Holiday pay (11 days)
• Paid short-term disability
• Paid life insurance
• Banfield Pet Insurance Discounts
• Wellness Benefits and Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program