Operations Readiness Manager

The Operations Readiness Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities required to successfully transition new food products from development into full-scale manufacturing. This role acts as the bridge between R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams to ensure launches are on time, cost-effective, and meet quality standards. This individual will report to the PMO Director with dotted line reporting to the Operations Director.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

IL Oak Brook

Job Type:

Production Operations

Job Posting Title:

Operations Readiness Manager

Job Description:

• Schedule: Hybrid office schedule with up to 60% + travel expectations
• Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.
• Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k - $140k annually with additional bonus potential

Position Responsibilities:

Lead complex, enterprise-wide projects through disciplined project management practices, overseeing detailed schedules, critical paths, deliverables, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment to achieve business objectives.

Lead cost and feasibility response for all new and reformulated products, as well as network moves. This involves coordination with R&D, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and others.

Develop and manage detailed project timelines for new product introductions (NPIs) and network moves

Ensure all critical milestones are met (ingredient sourcing, packaging readiness, line trials, etc.)

Coordinate multiple simultaneous plant trials, scale-ups, and first production runs

Partner with plant teams to ensure materials, equipment, labor, and capacity are ready and available

Identify and mitigate production risks prior to launch

Ensure BOMs (Bill of Materials), routing, and specifications are accurate in systems

Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and quality standards, as well as customer standards

Track and manage launch-related costs (waste, trial runs, overtime, etc.)

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency during scale-up

Support post-launch cost optimization efforts

Proactively identify risks to timelines, cost, or quality

Lead problem-solving efforts during trials and initial production

Escalate issues appropriately with recommended solutions

Qualifications and Requirements:

3–7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or product commercialization

Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Supply Chain, Business or related field is preferred

Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and plant operations is highly preferred

Experience with new product launches or plant trials preferred

Experience with ERP systems (SAP)

Experience with stage-gate or commercialization processes

Understanding of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, FSMA)

PMP Certification is preferred

Lean / Six Sigma experience is a plus

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.