Manufacturing Manager
Kraft Heinz · Winchester, VA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $142k–$177k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 28 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at Kraft Heinz (food & beverage) in Winchester, VA.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- OEE, FDA / GMP
- Base pay
- $142k–$177k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $98k–$150k. This one lists $142k–$177k.
Median of the low and high ends of 13 live postings that list pay, out of 35 manufacturing engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live manufacturing postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- About 35% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$150k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 46%
- New product launch 46%
- Lean 31%
- Root cause 26%
- Automation 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, 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 Manufacturing team at Kraft Heinz
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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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.
Full description from Kraft HeinzAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
and oversee site operations when Network Lead is off-site.
of the Role
- ◆KHMS Cultural Transformation and Leadership : Drive the implementation of digital technologies and agile methodologies to support the KHMS cultural transformation, achieving an empowered culture with World Class standards and results for Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People. Lead and develop a team of production front-line leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and safety.
- ◆Safety and Quality Excellence : Implement strategies to drive a Safety & Quality Perfect Culture throughout the Processes, leveraging digital tools and data analytics to identify areas for improvement. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and industry standards with USDA & FDA.
- ◆Production Optimization : Achieve desired production costs, including fixed and variable labor costs, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), waste, attainment, and business waste. Utilize digital tools to optimize production planning and scheduling and take ownership of savings initiatives for the department. Managing workforce during seasonality and be cost effective with labor hours per ton.
- ◆Product Portfolio Management: Work with Plant Manager, S&OP, Production Scheduling and Maintenance to support managing a complex product portfolio for optimal run strategy and influence future fit portfolio transformation to produce quality products in a safe and cost-effective manner. Evaluating potential service risk in the network, building strategies to mitigate impacts, and support the Business before there is a risk.
- ◆Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration : Liaise and collaborate with key stakeholders (departments) to ensure full alignment with production schedules, key production milestones and requirements, including Sanitation, Quality, Maintenance, Research & Development, Planning, Logistics, and Brand.
- ◆Continuous Improvement and Innovation : Work with KHMS leads to develop and implement continuous improvement programs and identify opportunities to leverage KHMS strategies and digital technologies to drive innovation and continuous improvement in production processes.
- ◆Data-Driven Decision Making : Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management, providing regular updates on plant performance, risks, and opportunities. Utilize digital tools to enhance data analytics and reporting. Such as production volume, yield rate, defect rates, downtime hours per shift, and other key performance indicators (KPIs), to identify areas for improvement.
- ◆Finance and Resource Management : Manage and optimize the production budget and resources to ensure efficient and effective operations. Reporting Capex project forecast and milestones.
- ◆Engagement and Leadership Development : Foster positive employee relations and engagement by developing front-line leaders, providing coaching, mentoring, and feedback. Collaborate with functional leads and stakeholders to develop and implement short and long-term employee engagement strategies using KHMS and KHC leadership principles.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in business, Food Technology, or related degree is strongly preferred
- ✓8-10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment is required
- ✓5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment is required with a proven track record of driving transformational change and achieving operational excellence.
- ✓Business and Financial Acumen: Demonstrated understanding of business principles, including financial management, market trends, and competitive analysis, with a proven ability to manage budgets, forecast financial performance, and make data-driven decisions that optimize financial results.
- ✓Transformational Leadership: Proven ability to drive transformational change, achieve operational excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
- ✓Leadership & Team Development: Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach, and empower team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- ✓Effective Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to lead change, collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership.
- ✓Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical capabilities to assess performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop effective strategies that enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
- ✓Must be able to work flexible hours and weekend work.
#INDMFGS
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.
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Job Description
The Manufacturing Manager owns the operations function tasks including planning, organizing, directing and controlling the operation activities of a 500+ person site. The position will ensure all food preparation and packaging is compliant to the guidelines of Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety regulations. The position will also oversee and monitor the performance of the Plant Operations as it relates to quality, safety, productivity, maintenance, cost control, service to sales, team performance, and leadership development. The Manufacturing Manager will conduct Network Lead
