Operations Manager

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery®, Otis Spunkmeyer®, and Oakrun Farm Bakery®. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, processes, and programs in support of the Aspire system in order to ensure compliance with company requirements and to meet goals for servicing the customer.  This position is fully accountable for meeting plant volume and operating plant objectives.  This position will be responsible to meet/exceed established goals; food quality specifications, departmental KPI’s, departmental budgets, employee training, and employee safety.    

Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire team to deliver and exceed performance metrics in areas of employee safety, food quality, customer satisfaction, production yields, efficiencies, labor costs, production costs with reduction in overall downtime and reduction in waste, production schedule adherence, housekeeping conditions, and continuous employee training 


• Ensure compliance with all safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), regulatory and company policies and inspection audit ready at all times


• Drive safety, quality and process improvement initiatives through functional team leadership


• Oversee the coordination and scheduling of all departments to meet planning demand levels


• Review Key Performance Indicator (KPI) statistics and provide weekly reports with detailed commentary, to include action plan for needed remediation


• Assists in the annual budget process while monitoring and controlling budget of labor and departmental spend throughout the fiscal year.


• Supports and drives bakery Continuous Improvement programs.


• Provides and supports employee performance management with recognition, rewards, and resources that are focused on the development, motivation and engagement of all employees


• Supports indirect departments to ensure compliance, to include Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Environmental Health & Safety, and Human Resources


• Foster a team environment focused on standard work and process control


• Create strategic direction for department to satisfy future business needs and optimize operation financial performance


• Partner with Human Resources with recruiting, hiring and performance management of team members

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, or combination of college and equivalent experience


• 5-7  years manufacturing experience including supervisory experience


• Manufacturing experience in food industry preferred


• Ability to manage in a 24/7 production environment


• Knowledge and experience with GMP compliant manufacturing


• Excellent leadership, communications and team building skills


• Computer literate with proficiency in Excel, Word and SAP inventory applications


• Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as production schedules, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Have the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Have the ability to speak effectively before groups of employees or colleagues in organization.


• Good presentation skills


• Travel as needed

Benefits Designed with You in Mind

At Aspire Bakeries, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and financial stability. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage


• Company-paid life insurance


• Optional voluntary benefits

Work-Life Balance:

• Paid parental leave


• Paid time off and holidays

Financial Security:

• Competitive 401(k) plan with a 100% vested company match


• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Continuous Growth:

• Tuition reimbursement program


• Flexible Spending:


• HSA and FSA options

Performance-Based Rewards:
We value your hard work and dedication. That’s why we offer performance-driven incentive programs tailored to your role:

• Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP): Recognizing individual and team achievements.


• Sales Incentive Plan (SIP): Rewarding excellence in sales performance.


• Bakery Incentive Plan (BIP): Focused on achieving bakery-specific performance goals.

At Aspire Bakeries, we believe that when you succeed, we all succeed. Join us and experience benefits that truly work as hard as you do!

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.