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

• 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.

• 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.

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.