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Operations Manager

Simmons Pet Food

1 Positions

ID: OPERA039325

Posted On 06/04/2025

Job Overview

Purpose of the Position

Plans, directs and coordinates the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

Essential Position Responsibilities** **-** **This is a Salary Exempt position.

**Responsible for quality and food safety.** Directs production, processing, and packaging operations. Ensures supervisors and first-line employees are following all FDA and USDA requirements in a way that meets or exceeds customer specifications. Works with the QA department to ensure production, packaging, and canning departments are following processes and procedures in a proper manner. Understands industry regulations (both current and expected changes) relevant to all company services. Works with QA on the weekly sanitation audit ensuring requirements are met.

**Promotes a safe work environment.** Promotes a “safety comes first” philosophy across all areas of production. Inspects facilities to identify any hazardous conditions. Works with the Regional Safety Manager and the Director, Operations in the improving and changing of equipment, policies, procedures, etc. Enforces security and safety measures to include: lockout/tagout practices, OSHA compliance, safety awareness, and equipment safety. Responsible for the proper use, care, reporting, and preventative maintenance of all equipment.

**Fosters a Continuous Improvement culture.** Suggests and develops methods for area and process improvement in regards to efficiencies that will serve internal and external customers. Follows and applies principles of LEAN manufacturing to everyday activities in order to reduce waste. Leads and encourages supervisors to use LEAN tools to educate and motivate team members to follow a continuous improvement culture.

**Plans and implements plant costing strategies.** Tracks different entities to identify plant waste. Analyzes various operational reports and develops strategies to drive out waste and increase efficiency. Responsible for the development of plant costing programs and waste reduction. Ensures correct amounts of materials and ingredients are used based on customer specifications in order to maximize yield. Allocates resources in a cost effective way.

**Responsible for inventory control.** Monitors raw inventory including meats and ingredients to identify any discrepancies. Analyzes inventory losses and develops processes to prevent further losses. Take the appropriate steps to ensure inventory and processes are in place to drive down costs.

**Develops and recommends a budget for the operations department.** Negotiates prices of factory supplies. Reviews processing schedules and production orders to determine staffing requirements, work procedures, and duty assignments. Demonstrates commitment to cost reduction.

**Involved in the advancement and training of direct reports.** Ensures direct reports have a development program and that they attend the proper training within Simmons or third party providers. Makes recommendations based on Simmons needs. Works with HR and the Director of Operations to develop advancement programs.

**Manages employees.** Directs and supervises employees’ work activities and monitors work performance. Collaborates with Human Resources to screen, interview and hire candidates. Administers disciplinary actions and recommends performance improvement actions in collaboration with the HR Manager. Monitors work performance and recommends compensation decisions based on guidelines. Follows Simmons values to develop and maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees. Promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement.

**Participates as a member of the Team** . Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

**Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives:** Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

**Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives:** This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

**Physical Activities:** Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property. May travel via car or plane to various work locations

**Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):** As required by visiting facility.

**Travel:** Minimum to and from multiple facilities. Occasionally requiring overnight stays.

**Technical Experience:** 6 years experience, including 2 years in a manufacturing management role. Must possess knowledge of costs, LEAN principles, yield, OSHA regulations, safety practices, GMPs, and HACCP. Basic knowledge of Kaizen events and 5S programs. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suit. Must be able to obtain Thermal Processing certification if managing pet food operations.

**Industry Experience:** Preference for food processing and/or manufacturing experience.

**Minimum Education** : Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or 4 years experience in lieu of degree.

**Preferred Education:** N/A

_We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team._

Primary Contact

1646245361535

Karen Smith

HR Manager, HR

563-556-1973

Phone

Phone

Phone

Fax

[email protected]

Email

True

True

True

Job Details

Categories

Manufacturing

Location

Dubuque, IA

Job Type

Employee

Full/Part

Full Time

Company ID

1236

Job REQ #

OPERA039325

\# Positions

1

Start Date

20250604

End Date

20250706

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Simmons Pet Food

About the Company

Simmons Pet Food is a trusted leader in private label and contract manufacturing of pet food. We source high-quality ingredients and use state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to produce premium and value-focused pet food. We supply top brands and retailers with products in a variety of formats, including dry kibble, jerky treats and wet in cans, pouches, and cups. These operations are in Northwest Arkansas, Iowa, Emporia, Kansas, and Ontario, Canada.

We’re excited that Dubuque will be the home of our newest pet food operation. Join us in the rewarding work of making food for the pets we love. We’re building our team today!