
Operations Manager (Food Manufacturing)
Conagra Brands · Fort Madison, IA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $109k–$159k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Conagra Brands (food & beverage) in Fort Madison, IA.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- TPM
- Base pay
- $109k–$159k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Iowa: typical posted base $120k–$159k. This one lists $109k–$159k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 13 production engineer openings in Iowa, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Iowa plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 12 other live production postings in Iowa.
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 54%
- EHS / safety 38%
- FDA / GMP 23%
- ✓ TPM 23%
- ✓ Cost reduction 23%
- PLC 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Union environment, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Conagra Brands
We found 10 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role, 6 leaders, plus 3 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to John → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Conagra Brands in Fort Madison
2 other open roles at this site · 10 people we found in production roles at Conagra Brands.
- Industrial Maintenance Tech - 2nd shift · Reliability · Technician
- Plant Process Engineer · Process
Full description from Conagra BrandsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Execute the plant's vision and mission to drive continuous improvement and alignment with company objectives.
- ◆Direct and oversee production leaders across all shifts, ensuring accountability for performance and results.
- ◆Drive employee engagement, training, and development programs to support manufacturing, quality, safety, and productivity goals.
- ◆Communicate operational results, priorities, and action plans to employees and leaders throughout the facility.
- ◆Partner with production planning and materials management teams to maximize schedule attainment and customer service.
- ◆Collaborate with Human Resources to address and resolve employee relations matters effectively.
- ◆Partner with Finance to develop and manage capital budgets and ensure financial commitments are achieved.
- ◆Lead cost savings initiatives related to labor utilization, operational standards, and yield improvement.
- ◆Support and advance the site's Total Productive Maintenance initiatives through close partnership with Continuous Improvement teams.
- ◆Ensure all plant operations are conducted safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
- ◆Maintain and improve compliance with quality, food safety, regulatory, and company standards.
- ◆Report food safety concerns through the appropriate channels and ensure timely resolution.
Ingredients Required for Your Success
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial Management, Engineering, Food Science, Management, Product Operations, or a related field preferred
- ✓Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered
- ✓5+ years of manufacturing experience.
- ✓3+ years of leadership experience in a management or supervisory capacity preferred
- ✓Food industry experience within a unionized manufacturing environment preferred.
- ✓Experience with Total Productive Maintenance initiatives preferred.
- ✓Demonstrated success leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience driving employee development, engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- ✓Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- ✓Proficiency with business applications, financial management, budgeting, cost control, and statistical analysis.
Physical
Requirements
More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical
requirements
below may apply: You will be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination. You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size. This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.
Pay Range:$109,000-$159,000
The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.
Our Benefits
We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
- ✓Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
- ✓Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
- ✓Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
- ✓Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operations of plant production departments, including production and production planning. You will implement standard work and sustain continuous improvement through disciplined operating practices and autonomous maintenance. You will plan, organize, and coordinate production activities while leading multiple shift managers to support a safe, efficient operation that produces high-quality food products. You will partner closely with Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, Quality, and Finance to achieve operational, safety, quality, service, and cost objectives.
A Taste of Your
Our Company
At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.
Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.
