Senior Operations Manager
Company: Land O'Lakes
Location: Spencer
Posted on: February 13, 2026
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Job Description:
Senior Operations Manager The Senior Operations Manager provides
strategic and hands?on leadership for a 24?hour manufacturing
operation, building high?performing teams through strong coaching,
mentoring, and talent development. This role ensures clear,
consistent communication across all shifts and functions while
driving safe, reliable, and efficient execution of daily production
activities. The position is accountable for delivering targeted
results in safety, quality, volume, cost, and service through
disciplined operational processes and continuous improvement. As a
key member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Senior Operations
Manager contributes to both short? and long?term strategies related
to plant performance, capital planning, workforce capability, and
employee engagement. The role oversees operations across Drying,
Custom, Loaf, Formulations, Shipping, and Logistics, with
leadership responsibility for five salaried supervisors and
approximately 185 hourly employees. Success requires cultivating a
strong, safety?first culture grounded in operational excellence,
consistent standards, and positive employee relations. Essential
Functions • Leads programs that ensure efficient, cost?effective
operation and optimal utilization of facility assets. • Manages
safety, quality, service, and cost performance within assigned
areas. • Ensures compliance with organizational policies,
procedures, and regulatory requirements. • Provides recommendations
to senior leadership regarding long?range labor strategies and
capital equipment needs. • Develops and implements improvements to
systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring timely and accurate
execution. • Prepares and maintains accurate, timely documentation
for all aspects of production. • Partners with Human Resources on
employee relations matters and ensures consistent application of
policies. • Executes strategies and tactics aligned with
departmental and company goals. • Develops and manages operating
budgets and capital spending plans. • Identifies, acquires, and
develops talent to meet departmental objectives. • Ensures
application of industry best practices and provides appropriate
employee training. • Maintains compliance with quality,
environmental, and safety regulations, including HALAL, Kosher, and
GMP requirements. • Performs additional duties as assigned by
management. Supervisory Responsibilities • Develops, coaches, and
mentors subordinate leaders. • Conducts performance evaluations,
recommends salary adjustments, and administers rewards or
disciplinary actions as needed. • Addresses employee concerns and
resolves issues to maintain a productive work environment. Required
Competencies • Strong communication skills with the ability to
engage effectively across diverse personalities and roles. •
Decisive, confident decision?making with the ability to support and
communicate decisions across the organization. • Consistent ability
to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities. • High attention
to detail with strong follow?through. • Excellent active listening
skills. • Ability to foster a positive employee environment and
influence safe behaviors. • Demonstrated capability to lead and
sustain change initiatives. • Experience in high?speed
manufacturing environments. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s
degree required. • 10 years of supervisory or management experience
in food processing or manufacturing operations with progressive
leadership responsibility. • Strong presentation, communication,
training, and interpersonal skills. • Proven understanding of
product and labor cost drivers and variance analysis. Preferred
Qualifications • 10 years of supervisory/management experience in
food processing or manufacturing operations. • MBA or master’s
degree in engineering preferred. • Ability to read, analyze, and
interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal
documents. • Experience responding to inquiries from customers,
regulatory agencies, or business partners. • Strong analytical
skills, including problem definition, data collection, and
root?cause analysis. • Demonstrated ability to collaborate
effectively across all levels and functions. • Project management
experience. • Experience developing and leveraging frontline
employee capabilities. • SAP, ERP, or similar systems experience. •
Proven change?agent skills with the ability to motivate and inspire
teams. • Knowledge of TPM, Six Sigma, and other structured
problem?solving methodologies. • Experience working in a union
facility preferred. Salary Range: $142,160 - $213,240. In most
cases, candidates offered employment expect to be hired at a pay
rate near the middle of our salary ranges. About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned
cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been
named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100
Most Influential Companies list. We provide a broad portfolio of
benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is
Where Your Future Takes Root. Land O’Lakes and our global entities
support diversity in employment practices. Neither Land O’Lakes,
nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask
for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you
receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the
information being requested. If you need to submit a reasonable
accommodation request to complete the employment application
process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U
(844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.
Keywords: Land O'Lakes, Minnetonka , Senior Operations Manager, Manufacturing , Spencer, Minnesota
