Director, Operations
J.M. Smucker · Topeka, KS
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at J.M. Smucker (food & beverage) in Topeka, KS.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, TPM
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Kansas: typical posted base $93k–$154k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 25 production engineer openings in Kansas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kansas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 24 other live production postings in Kansas.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 7+)
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 64%
- ✓ Lean 60%
- EHS / safety 44%
- ✓ Six Sigma 28%
- Cost reduction 20%
- FDA / GMP 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 J.M. Smucker
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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: J.M. Smucker in Topeka
3 other open roles at this site.
- Packaging Production Technician · Production · Technician
- Production Technician Upstairs Snacks Processing · Process · Technician
- Maintenance Industrial Mechanic · Reliability · Technician
Full description from J.M. SmuckerAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Requirements
- ✓Bachelor’s degree required.
- ✓10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience.
- ✓Successful experience leading a plant or large manufacturing operation.
- ✓Experience implementing and sustaining continuous improvement or high-performing work systems such as Operations Excellence, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean, Six Sigma, or HPO.
- ✓Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing leaders.
- ✓Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business priorities into action and measurable results.
- ✓Strong problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization capabilities.
- ✓Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage employees, leaders, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders.
Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:
- ✓Experience leading within a large, complex manufacturing environment.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability.
- ✓Experience building organizational capability and developing strong leadership pipelines.
- ✓Ability to successfully manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- ✓Track record of building productive cross-functional relationships and mobilizing teams around a common vision.
The Right Place for You
We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs , and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Your Opportunity as the Director of Operations, Topeka
Lead a major manufacturing operation within our Pet business and make a direct impact on the products consumers trust for the pets they love. As Director of Operations for our Topeka manufacturing site, you will provide overall leadership for the plant, shaping its vision, developing its people, and driving performance across safety, quality, reliability, cost, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
This is an opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing leader to take ownership of a complex operation, lead and develop the site leadership team, and build the capabilities needed to deliver both today’s priorities and the plant’s long-term strategy. You will also serve as an important connection between the Topeka operation, the broader Pet business, cross-functional partners, and the local community.
Location: 2200 NW Brickyard Road, Topeka, KS 66618 [Pet Food Manufacturing Plant]
Work Arrangements: 100% onsite
- •Willingness to work extended hours and flow to the work as needed
Lead Plant Performance & Operational Excellence
- •Lead overall plant and supply chain performance across safety, quality, cost, sustainability, reliability, loss reduction, inventory, financial performance, and capital project management.
- •Drive implementation and continuous improvement of Operations Excellence, High Performing Organization (HPO), and related operating systems to deliver sustainable results.
- •Champion Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Quality expectations while building strong ownership and capabilities throughout the site.
Set the Strategy & Shape the Future
- •Develop and execute the plant vision, master plan, capital and expense budgets, and strategic plans that support current and future business needs.
- •Lead operational readiness for capital investments, equipment commissioning, and implementation of new processes and capabilities.
- •Ensure compliance with company
Build Talent, Leadership & Culture
- •Build a culture focused on accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- •Lead, coach, and develop the site leadership team, creating clear accountability and strong cross-functional collaboration.
- •Strengthen organizational capability through staffing, succession planning, and leadership and professional development across the plant.
Partner Across the Business
- •Build strong partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Corporate Services, Marketing, Research & Development, Engineering, Human Resources, and other support functions.
- •Collaborate across functions to connect plant priorities with broader business needs and deliver results.
Represent Smucker in the Topeka Community
- •Build and maintain positive relationships with local government, community organizations, suppliers, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
- •Help strengthen the plant’s connection to the Topeka community and maintain a positive company presence.