Director of Manufacturing Operations

Arkansas Talent Group is exclusively working with an Arkansas-based, global leader in their industry to help them find their Director of Operations to be based in their newest manufacturing facility in the Little Rock, AR Metropolitan area.

As the Director of Operations, reporting directly to the Assistant Plant Manager, you will lead and oversee key operational functions within the facility, with a primary focus on all production areas. In this role, you will collaborate with leadership teams to troubleshoot challenges, drive continuous improvement, and ensure smooth, efficient operations. You will uphold the companys core values while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and plant procedures. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to make a significant impact on operational performance and contribute to the long-term success of the plant.

Perks:

• Competitive salary, eligibility for a 20% bonus, equity
• Generous relocation assistance provided as a single lump sum payment
• Wonderful benefits package, ample PTO, and a matching retirement plan
• Opportunity for growth
• A mission-driven company with a strong brand presence that is well-known and respected

Duties will include:

• Lead operational activities to achieve departmental objectives, support business strategy, and meet or exceed the annual budget.
• Manage and oversee production, warehousing, and packaging processes to ensure daily production goals, safety, and quality standards are met.
• Proactively manage staffing levels and production schedules to ensure alignment with inventory goals and resolve any potential conflicts.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve performance in areas such as safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and waste.
• Manage plant employees, including hiring, onboarding, training, and providing feedback on performance.
• Support production planning and budgeting, providing data-driven insights to the Plant Manager for review and approval.
• Assist with the identification and implementation of capital investment projects, and ensure equipment and system modifications align with continuous improvement goals.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, food safety, and regulatory requirements, maintaining a safe work environment with proper PPE usage.
• Foster effective communication with the Plant Manager and leadership teams, addressing issues, performance feedback, and financial variances.
• Collaborate with Quality to ensure adherence to GMP, audit, and inspection standards.
• Support internal control systems, audits, and inspections while promoting operational excellence and integration of new processes.
• Actively gather insights to understand the operating environment and share relevant findings with plant management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Masters degree preferred.
• 3+ years of plant manufacturing management experience, with a strong background in the beverage industry 
• Proven expertise in scheduling and project management, with a track record of delivering on time and within budget
• Experience with automated assembly and distribution systems in high-volume production settings
• Demonstrated financial acumen with experience in P&L management
• Strong aptitude for quantitative analysis, strategic and tactical thinking, and meticulous planning
• A commitment to continuous improvement with hands-on experience in lean manufacturing practices
• Strong organization, leadership, time management, and communication skills.
• Proficient in technical computer skills and relevant software applications
• Ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment, particularly under tight deadlines
• Exceptional written, verbal, and organizational communication abilities
• Highly effective negotiator and persuasive communicator
• Deep technical expertise coupled with problem-solving and analytical skills
• US work authorization (Required)

For more information, please apply directly or send a copy of your resume for review to Jennifer Thompson at jennifer.thompson@arkansastalentgroup.com

Arkansas Talent Group is an Executive Permanent Placement Recruitment Firm, all considerations will be held confidential.