Director of Operations

Why you are here:

As a member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to be part of something truly special – crafting delicious food that brings joy to people's lives. You'll play a vital role in upholding stringent food safety standards, ensuring top-notch product quality, and collaboratively achieving our goals alongside our dedicated team. Moreover, as a family-owned certified B Corporation, you'll actively engage with our broader community, with a strong focus on enhancing employee satisfaction and fostering community engagement. Join us on our journey not only to create exceptional food but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our employees and the communities we serve.

As Director of Operations, you will lead the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of Rhino Foods' manufacturing operations, ensuring excellence in safety, quality, delivery, and employee engagement. Working closely with leaders across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, Finance, R&D, and People & Culture, you will turn business strategy into measurable results by driving operational performance, improving efficiency, and building the systems needed to support long-term growth. 

This is an opportunity to shape the future of our operations while developing high-performing leaders and teams. You'll champion a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, oversee workforce planning, capital investments, and large-scale operational initiatives, and use data-driven decision-making to strengthen performance across the organization. Success in this role means balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution while upholding Rhino Foods' Purpose, Principles, and commitment to doing the right thing every day.

What you’ll accomplish: 

Lead Operational Excellence

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with company goals. 
• Drive operational performance through KPIs including production attainment, schedule adherence, labor efficiency, quality, and waste/scrap reduction. 
• Ensure consistent execution of standardized processes that support safety, food quality, compliance, and operational efficiency. 
• Lead large-scale operational improvement initiatives and capital projects. 
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, capital planning, and resource allocation. 
• Evaluate operational investments that improve scalability and long-term performance. 

Build High-Performing Teams

• Lead and support the Operations leadership team in achieving organizational objectives. 
• Foster a culture built on accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 
• Partner with People & Culture on workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, and employee retention. 
• Promote leadership development through coaching, performance management, and professional growth opportunities. 

Drive Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Translate company strategy into measurable operational priorities. 
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Use operational data and visual management systems to guide decisions and improve results. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally to proactively identify risks and opportunities affecting business performance. 
• Champion Rhino's Purpose, Principles, and B Corp values in every decision. 

Lead Through Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, GMP, food safety, and company standards. 
• Oversee investigations involving employee safety or product incidents while implementing sustainable corrective actions. 
• Support effective training programs that prepare employees for long-term success. 
• Maintain strong administrative leadership through accurate documentation, timekeeping, and employment records.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. 
• 7+  years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, production operations, supply chain, or a related industrial environment. 
• Experience leading multiple teams or departments within a manufacturing setting.
• A proven record of improving operational performance and leading organizational change. 
•  Experience balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership. 
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budgeting and resource allocation. 
• Experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills. 
• The ability to make sound decisions using data, analytics, and operational metrics. 
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to lead through trust, accountability, and collaboration. 
• Strong project management and organizational skills. 
• Experience navigating complex operational challenges while maintaining focus on safety, quality, and employee engagement.

Compensation & Employment Requirements:

Salary Range: $145,000 - $170,000 per year

The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors, including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay, and we're happy to discuss during the interview process.

Rhino Foods is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”). We support employment opportunities for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employment is subject to successful screening on national sex offender registries. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The position works in both an office and production setting, typically involving working in a climate-controlled environment and exposure to variable temperatures including heat and cold. Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing/pulling; contact with frozen food items, water, detergents, sanitizers, and allergens such as peanuts; machinery noise. Requires repetitive motions and lifting up to 25 lbs. Physical demands for an office setting position may include: sitting at a desk or computer workstation for extended periods; using a computer, phone, or other office equipment for extended periods; occasionally standing or walking to retrieve items or move around the office; lifting and carrying light objects such as files or papers, typically under 10 pounds; occasionally bending, stooping, or reaching for items or files. Compliance with OSHA and industry standards includes wearing required PPE such as steel-toe production boots, nitrile gloves, face protection, hearing protection, and hair and beard nets. All jewelry and adornments on the hands, wrists, and above the neck must be removable and off while in production areas.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.