At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.
We are seeking a Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead our Houston-area manufacturing campus, including our Deer Park and Pasadena facilities, home to our growing bibigo® and Pagoda® brands. With more than 750 team members, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead a multi-site manufacturing operation while driving the next phase of operational transformation and growth.
Houston is a key manufacturing operation for CJ Schwan's, with significant capital investment, productivity improvement opportunities, and a strong pipeline of high-potential talent. We are seeking a proven manufacturing leader who has successfully developed future leaders and delivered sustainable business results. Geographic mobility is desired, as future advancement opportunities will likely extend beyond Houston.
What You Will Do:
- Own all aspects of plant operations to meet and exceed targets for quality, safety, cost, service, regulatory compliance, and production volume.
- Lead Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of operational excellence through TPM, Lean, and OPEX methodologies, leveraging data and systems to optimize performance and reduce waste.
- Define and execute short- and long-term objectives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and new product integration, ensuring alignment with business growth goals.
- Maintain a safe, healthy work environment by eliminating hazards, training teams, and promoting proactive safety awareness.
- Partner on capital projects that enhance production capabilities and support future expansion.
- Lead, coach, and empower a diverse team across production, quality, maintenance, and engineering to achieve excellence and foster career growth.
- Build strong relationships within the company and local community, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration and shared success.
What We Look For:
- 8+ years of operations leadership in a large-scale, highly automated environment; food or CPG experience strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated success driving business growth and operational improvements in fast-paced, complex environments.
- Authentic, direct communicator who builds trust and strong relationships at all levels.
- Deep knowledge of continuous improvement tools (TPM, OPEX, Lean); ability to use data-driven insights for decision-making. SAP experience a plus.
- Familiarity with FDA, USDA, and OSHA requirements highly preferred.
What We Offer:
The base salary range for this position is $153,000 to $255,00 annually, with eligibility for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.
Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings
CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [email protected].
Skills Required
- 8+ years of operations leadership in a large-scale, highly automated environment
- Proven manufacturing leader with demonstrated success developing future leaders and delivering sustainable business results
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Deep knowledge of continuous improvement tools (TPM, OPEX, Lean) and data-driven decision making
- SAP experience
- Familiarity with FDA, USDA, and OSHA requirements
- Food or CPG industry experience
- Authentic, direct communicator who builds trust and strong relationships
- Geographic mobility (desired for future advancement)
Schwan's Company Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Schwan's Company and has not been reviewed or approved by Schwan's Company.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage includes multiple plan options, including some no‑deductible choices, plus dental and vision. Benefits in this area are frequently regarded as a major strength for full‑time employees.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting for eligible employees. This feature is viewed as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes vacation that scales with tenure, paid holidays, and personal days. New hires can begin accruing PTO early in their employment.
Schwan's Company Insights
What We Do
As one of the fastest-growing leaders and producers in North America’s food industry, Schwan’s Company is dedicated to bringing people and cultures together through global flavors and delicious ethnic cuisine. Our commitment to this is reflected in the innovative foods we produce, our iconic brands and through a team of exceptional talent. Today, as a subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, Schwan’s is a fast-paced, forward-thinking company that’s on its way to bigger and better things. We are a leading food marketer, with trusted brands like RED BARON®, FRESCHETTA®, BIG DADDY'S™ and TONY'S™ pizza, EDWARDS® and MRS. SMITH'S® desserts, and BIBIGO® and PAGODA® Asian-style foods. And, with manufacturing operations in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas, we are well-prepared to deliver a great experience to our consumers wherever they shop and eat.
