Ops Manager - Food Production

Job Summary

AppleOne is currently recruiting an experienced Operations Manager to lead end-to-end food manufacturing operations in a direct hire leadership role. This is a high-impact opportunity for a strategic, hands-on operations leader who can improve systems, strengthen production performance, and build a high-performing cross-functional team.

The Operations Manager will oversee manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, R&D, production, and quality assurance functions while driving operational excellence, process improvement, regulatory compliance, and cost control. This role is ideal for a data-driven leader with strong Lean Manufacturing experience, ERP system knowledge, and a passion for producing high-quality food products in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This opportunity offers the chance to join a collaborative, operations-focused workplace where leadership, teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability are valued. The right candidate will have visibility across the organization and the ability to make a meaningful impact on efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, and long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead daily manufacturing operations across production, supply chain, engineering, R&D, and quality assurance teams.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance product quality.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with production goals, growth plans, safety standards, and financial performance.
- Monitor KPIs, production metrics, cost controls, budgeting, P&L, cash flow, forecasting, and resource allocation.
- Manage ERP systems and operational workflows, with a focus on streamlining processes and improving reporting accuracy.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, CFIA, CODEX, quality, food safety, and workplace safety requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary range: $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
- Job type: Direct hire.
- For more information on this opportunity and a confidential conversation,
please contact Mike Marmolejo at 5 5 9 – 5 4 7 – 6 0 6 4 or email your resume
to m m a r m o l e j o @ a p p l e o n e . com

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations for a food production environment.
- Manage production planning, supply chain coordination, quality systems, and process improvement initiatives.
- Oversee KPIs, operational budgets, P&L, cost controls, forecasting, and resource planning.
- Build, coach, and develop cross-functional teams focused on performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field required.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, food production, or consumer goods operations.
- Proven expertise in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational strategy.
- Experience with ERP systems required, with NetSuite and Redzone experience strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of supply chain management, production planning, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing budgets, financial metrics, P&L, cost control, and performance reporting.
- Proficiency in data analysis, KPI tracking, reporting tools, and statistical decision-making.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of FDA, USDA, SQF, CFIA, CODEX, and food safety standards relevant to manufacturing operations.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
- Lean Six Sigma training or certification.
- Experience with NetSuite and Redzone ERP or production management systems.
- Food and beverage manufacturing leadership experience.
- Knowledge of wastewater processes.
- Experience scaling manufacturing operations, implementing change management systems, or improving customer service delivery across multiple channels.