Director of Operations (Baked Goods) - Saint Paul, Minnesota
Location: On Site in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Employment type: Full-time
Salary: $200,000 - $220,000 per year
Posted: a month ago
Why This Role Matters
MissionHires is seeking a Director of Operations (Baked Goods) to lead end-to-end production operations across all shifts, overseeing production, maintenance, scheduling, sanitation, warehouse, safety, quality, HR collaboration, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and continuous improvement for a high-volume baking facility. This role drives operational excellence, cost control, people leadership, and on-time delivery while supporting Lean/Six Sigma and new product introductions.
How You'll Contribute
- Lead development and implementation of strategies to maximize operational effectiveness and meet growth objectives
- Achieve business objectives while creating an accident-free workplace and delivering safe, quality products
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, productivity, product quality, customer service, work life quality, and manufacturing costs
- Own financial results of plant operations including annual manufacturing budget, cost analyses, and cost containment initiatives
- Adhere to and manage updates to the approved annual operations budget with the VP of Operations
- Provide managerial direction to manufacturing with a focus on continuous improvement and cost reduction
- Allocate resources (people, time, budget) to meet departmental goals and objectives
- Provide indirect leadership of HR activities to ensure strong employee relations and legal compliance
- Foster effective communication, coaching, development, and performance feedback across teams
- Maintain positive Employee Relations and support a union-free environment
- Direct maintenance to ensure facility and equipment readiness for operational goals
- Lead product planning and materials management to maintain efficient inventory levels
- Support warehouse and distribution to ensure on-time customer deliveries
- Provide indirect leadership to Quality Assurance, maintaining product integrity and GMPs
- Assist in establishing quality specifications and ensure adherence by plant teams
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies
- Verify GMP and safety standards are maintained and address deficiencies promptly
- Monitor and validate daily operational schedules for accuracy and attainment of goals
- Track and report KPIs (quality, service, safety, cost) and align facility leadership on goals
- Conduct daily walkthroughs across all operational areas and maintain visibility on all shifts
- Provide strategic guidance through active participation in leadership meetings
- Participate in new product development, assessing cost and manufacturability
- Communicate and help implement new product production plans with supervisors
- Champion and support Lean and Six Sigma initiatives in the facility
What Makes You a Great Fit
- Bachelor’s degree required; preference for Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Food Science
- Minimum 10 years of experience in a baking production facility
- At least 5 years of experience leading a facility
- Working knowledge and hands-on implementation/maintenance of SQF Level III Certification in manufacturing
- Strong technical knowledge of baking equipment, products, and processes
- Excellent communication, coaching, and people leadership skills
- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and highly organized
- Receptive to performance feedback and able to respond positively
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Demonstrated success in safety, quality, budgeting, cost control, inventory, maintenance, warehouse/distribution, GMP, and regulatory compliance
- Experience with Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies and tools
Who We Are, What We Stand For
MissionHires is the AI hiring partner of top talent teams. Our platform helps recruiters, agencies, and top companies source, engage with, and evaluate top talent 10 times faster than job boards.
To bridge the gap between companies and passionate talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary range for the Director of Operations (Baked Goods) role in Saint Paul?
USD $200,000–$220,000 per year.
Is this position on-site or remote?
It’s an on-site role in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Do you offer relocation assistance for this job?
No, relocation is unpaid and no assistance is provided.
What experience do I need to qualify for this role?
At least 10 years in a baking production facility and 5+ years leading a facility.
What education is required for this position?
A bachelor’s degree is required; Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Food Science is preferred.
Which certifications or standards should I know?
Working knowledge of SQF Level III and GMP, plus compliance with regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, FDA/USDA) is expected.
What tools or methodologies will I use day-to-day?
Lean and Six Sigma for continuous improvement and Microsoft Office for planning and reporting.
What are the main responsibilities in this role?
Lead end-to-end plant operations including production, maintenance, scheduling, sanitation, warehouse, safety, quality, budgeting, KPIs, and new product introductions.