Manufacturing Consultant - Food

Operations Consultant – Food Manufacturing

Job Description

Position: Operations Consultant – Food Manufacturing

Travel Required: up to 100%, entirely client driven

Type of Position: Full‑time, benefits, 401K, etc.

Synergetics is a boutique consulting firm specializing in operational transformation, technology enablement, and change management. With 40 employees working remotely and at client sites nationwide, we partner with leading organizations to drive measurable operational improvements and sustainable business results.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Consultant with deep expertise in food manufacturing to join our growing team. This role requires hands‑on experience analyzing and improving shop floor operations, production processes, and manufacturing procedures in food production environments. You will work directly with clients to identify inefficiencies, design solutions, and drive operational excellence across their manufacturing operations.

• Conduct comprehensive operational assessments of food manufacturing facilities, including process flow analysis, capacity studies, and bottleneck identification.
• Evaluate operations on the shop floor—equipment utilization, production scheduling, and workflow efficiency—to understand how work actually gets done.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and procedures to optimize throughput, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Develop data‑driven recommendations for operational improvements such as process redesign, layout optimization, and SOP enhancements.
• Build strong relationships with plant managers, supervisors, and floor personnel to understand current state operations and implement sustainable changes.
• Lead project work streams focused on operational transformation, often managing multiple client engagements simultaneously.
• Create detailed process documentation, standard work instructions, and performance metrics to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops and working sessions with client teams to build internal capability and drive adoption of new ways of working.
• Present findings and recommendations to client leadership, including C‑suite executives, translating complex operational details into clear business value.
• Support clients in tracking progress and measuring results against KPIs to ensure improvements deliver intended impact.

• 5–10 years of consulting or industry experience in food manufacturing operations, with demonstrated expertise conducting process analysis and operational assessments on the shop floor.
• Strong understanding of production planning, quality control, food safety requirements, and regulatory compliance (FSMA, HACCP, GMP).
• Proven track record of identifying and implementing operational improvements that deliver measurable business results.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, able to synthesize complex operational data into actionable insights.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to build credibility with both plant floor personnel and executive leadership.
• Proficiency with process mapping, data analysis, and presentation tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Food Science, or related field.
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 100%) to client sites across the United States; travel is solely client driven.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies;
  Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Knowledge of MES, MOS, ERP systems, or production planning software demonstrating technical depth.
• Experience in specific food manufacturing segments such as packaged foods, dairy, beverages, meat processing, or baking.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS) or previous experience with consulting firms or professional services organizations.

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits: health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, Unlimited PTO, life insurance, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Flexible work…