Manufacturing Manager

Manufacturing Operations Manager

As the Manufacturing Operations Manager at Unilever's Independence, MO factory, you'll play a pivotal role in leading a high-performing team within a fast-paced, unionized foods manufacturing environment. This role is for a results-driven leader who combines technical expertise with exceptional people leadership to deliver world-class performance in a 24 / 7 manufacturing environment. You'll be responsible for driving operational excellence, championing safety and quality, and delivering results that directly impact our consumers and communities. This is more than a leadership roleit's an opportunity to shape the future of a site that's critical to Unilever's Foods in North American supply chain. You'll lead with purpose, inspire continuous improvement, and foster a culture of accountability, agility, and innovation. If you're passionate about people, performance, and making a real difference, this is the role for you.

Key responsibilities include championing a zero-injury culture, actively participating in the implementation of site-specific safety and environmental programs, leading factory improvement programs, driving perfect quality throughout all make and pack processes, inspiring, coaching, and developing shift supervisors and senior supervisors, managing employee relations in alignment with HR policies and procedures, building and developing agile work systems, and managing a complex product portfolio to optimize run strategy.

Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in engineering, a technical field, or a related discipline; minimum of 5 years of supply chain experience in a foods, CPG, or manufacturing environment; experience managing multi-shift operations and large teams in a unionized environment; proven ability to provide clear focus and direction, empower teams, and hold them accountable for results; creative problem-solving skills with a diplomatic approach to conflict resolution; strong leadership capabilities with a track record of inspiring teams and driving continuous improvement; ability to manage conflict effectively while fostering an inclusive work environment; self-motivated with a strong focus on problem-solving; and proven ability to champion change management initiatives.

Preferred experiences / skills include leadership experience in continuous improvement methodologies, experience in a 24 / 7 foods manufacturing or related industry, and strong skills in leadership, communication, persuasion, project management, and analytical / systems thinking.