Operations Manager (External Manufacturing)

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Reporting to the Director of Contract Manufacturing Facilities, you will manage quality, customer service, inventory, finished goods production, material planning, cost control, and cost reduction at Contract Manufacturing facilities. You will lead business growth and productivity improvement projects, maintain strong relationships with Contract Manufacturers, and ensure Conagra products meet all specifications and standards.

Your Impact

• Manage projects from execution through commercialization, ensuring specifications are established and achieved during qualification and verification phases.
• Act as the project driver for key manufacturing initiatives, including new product introductions and facility rationalization.
• Establish and report KPIs for co-manufacturers on quality, food safety, customer service, and financial performance. Develop strategies to improve results and conduct regular operational reviews.
• Analyze and implement manufacturing best practices across strategic Contract Manufacturers.
• Drive operational savings at Contract Manufacturer facilities and validate progress from planning through implementation.
• Coordinate resolution of urgent business issues such as recalls, product holds, and inventory discrepancies, ensuring quick and cost-effective solutions.
• Benchmark competitive and industry trends for new technology and productivity strategies.
• Engage business partners to manage capital strategies for short- and long-term goals.
• Serve as liaison with internal Operations to align contract manufacturing with company strategy and maximize leverage across Marketing, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Logistics.
• Collaborate with Procurement to develop manufacturing and capacity strategies aligned with marketing objectives.

Your Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience in plant operations within a food or FDA/USDA-regulated environment.
• Project management experience.
• Continuous improvement skills.
• Intermediate-level Excel proficiency.
• Experience analyzing data.
• 3 Days in the office, Tuesday - Thursday
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• This position is open to relocation, preference will be given to local candidates in Chicago or Omaha area

Compensation

Pay Range:$81,000-$118,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

If you have questions about this posting, please contact [email protected]