Jobs › Conagra Brands

Operations Manager

Conagra Brands · Centralia, IL · $82,000–$120,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you lead production managers and supervisors toward safety, quality, productivity and cost goals at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance competing goals through their leaders rather than micromanaging the floor.

Tell me about a time you turned around an underperforming operation.

What they are checking: Whether they have actually led measurable improvement and can explain how.

How do you develop and hold accountable the leaders who report to you?

What they are checking: Whether they coach, set clear expectations and address underperformance among supervisors and managers.

How do you build employee engagement in a plant with turnover or morale problems?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical ways to listen to employees and improve the work environment.

How do you partner with finance and HR to meet plant objectives?

What they are checking: Whether they use support functions as partners rather than treating them as obstacles.

What would you do

A key customer order is at risk because of an equipment failure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they coordinate across maintenance, supply chain and sales to protect service.

A food safety concern appears late in a shift and stopping the line will miss the day's target. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether food safety wins for them over output, every time.

About the work

Which KPIs would you watch most closely in your first 90 days at the Centralia plant?

What they are checking: Whether they know which measures reveal plant health and how to use them to find gaps.

How do you support a new product commercialization in an existing plant?

What they are checking: Whether they can bring new products online without disrupting current production.

How do you build a capital request and get it approved?

What they are checking: Whether they can make a business case with clear return and risk.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Conagra Brands from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Conagra Brands.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead manufacturing operations at our Centralia, Illinois facility while driving safety, quality, service, cost, and people development objectives. You will provide operational leadership, oversee production execution, support capital and continuous improvement initiatives, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver business results and operational excellence. A Taste of Your Responsibilities • Lead production managers and supervisors to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives. • Drive operational performance and key performance indicators across the facility. • Develop and execute plans that support net sales growth, profitability, and service goals. • Lead continuous improvement, productivity, and cost savings initiatives. • Support portfolio, commercialization, and operational projects to ensure successful execution. • Partner with maintenance, quality, supply chain, human resources, and finance teams to achieve plant objectives. • Support strategic, operating, and capital planning processes. • Monitor performance metrics, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions. • Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards. • Build organizational capability through coaching, development, and performance management of leaders and team members. • Foster a culture of employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ingredients Required for Your Success • Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. • 4-6 years of manufacturing, operations, or supply chain experience. • 1-3 years of leadership experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment. • Strong project management, prioritization, and organizational skills. • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders. • Experience driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives. • Knowledge of manufacturing systems, production processes, and cost management principles. • Proficiency with business systems and data-driven performance management. 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 may 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. Relocation assistance is available for this position. Preference will be given to local candidates. #LI-Onsite #LI-BC1 #LI-MSL Compensation Pay Range:$82,000-$120,000 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 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. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

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