Graphic Packaging International, LLC logo

Operations Manager

Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Elk Grove Village, ILJob$136–181K/yrSeen 2w agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$136–181K/yr
Location
Elk Grove Village, IL
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

The Operations Manager oversees manufacturing processes and production personnel to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals. The role coordinates production with sales, quality, and customer service; manages schedules, equipment, budgets, and employee development; and leads continuous improvement, cost reduction, and safety initiatives. A bachelor’s degree is required, with seven years of manufacturing experience and knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and SQF practices.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Lean ManufacturingCost SavingsContinuous ImprovementSQFGood Manufacturing PracticesFood DefensePrinting and Converting EquipmentBusiness AcumenCuriosityInterpersonal SkillsInfluence SkillsSelf-StarterNegotiation SkillsOrganization SkillsResults Oriented

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree7+ Years Manufacturing Experience

Benefits

401(k) Match
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

Operations Manager

Elk Grove Village, IL

Apply Now (https://career55.sapsf.eu/careers?company=graphicpac&career\_ns=job\_application&career\_job\_req\_id=16493)

About Graphic

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Operations Manager oversees manufacturing processes, coordinates and supervises production supervisors and personnel to meet/exceed the company’s key performance indicators (Safety, Quality, and Productivity). This includes managing optimal production equipment to produce a product that meets or exceeds our customer’s expectations. This includes, but not limited to safety, equipment, production and quality, continuous improvement, development and management of its human resources and any other duties as assigned. They understand and align business operations & manufacturing as he/she executes their role to exceed customer expectations and align with GPI business, cultural, financial and operational objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Establish manufacturing quality standards, methods, facilities, policies and procedures by studying product requirements; obtaining engineering consultation and determining equipment and facility budget.

  • Organize the plant’s production function by assigning responsibilities; delegating tasks, and the training and development of employees.

  • Facilitate production by coordinating requirements with sales, quality, and customer service.

  • Complete production plan by establishing priorities, scheduling activities and monitoring progress; revising schedules, and resolving problems.

  • Maintain staff performance expectations by coaching, counseling and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.

  • Achieve financial objectives by preparing manufacturing and maintenance scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiate corrective actions.

  • Incorporate and foster continuous improvement by developing metrics with plant employees to determine the root cause of non-conformity with formulations or production planning; identify corrective measures to reduce waste (time and materials) in the plant; recommend preventative maintenance requirements to guarantee safe and efficient operation of equipment.

  • Spearhead cost reduction initiatives.

  • Lead the plant in safety initiatives and deployment of HSE policies and practices.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year College or University; Mechanical, Engineering or manufacturing discipline preferred.

  • Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, successful track record in cost savings initiatives (Safety, Waste, Continuous Improvement)

  • Trained or knowledge of SQF prerequisites including GMP, Food Defense, etc.

  • Minimum 7 years of experience in a manufacturing setting and experience, preferably in the folding carton industry.

  • Experience working with high volume printing and converting equipment.

Safe Quality Food Responsibilities:

  • Follow all Plant rules, Processes, Hygiene, and Allergens procedures, related to production of Safe Quality Foods.

  • Report to person of authority to record any potentially unsafe conditions which may result in unsafe foods or noncompliance to SQF related procedures.

  • Participate in SQF Root Cause and Corrective Actions (from customer complaints, SQF audits, validation, and verification activities) as required.

  • Follow all procedures related to producing Safe Quality Foods (SQF).

  • Report any potentially unsafe SQF conditions or customer complaints to a person of authority to record and/or correct the situation

Disclaimer

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Graphic Packaging retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Career Level

Competencies

Business Acumen

Curiosity

Interpersonal Skills

Influence Skills

Self-Starter

Negotiation Skills

Organization Skills

Results Oriented

Pay Range

$135,600.00 - $180,700.00

GPI Benefits Program

Competitive Pay

401(k) w/employer matching

Health & Welfare Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage

Short and Long-Term Disability

Life Insurance

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

Various Voluntary benefits

Adoption Assistance Program

Employee Discount Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Assistance Program

Paid Time Off + paid company holidays each year

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email [email protected].

Recruitment Agency Partnership Notice

We value partnerships and maintain a strict process for engaging external agencies. Due to compliance requirements, we do not accept unsolicited resumes. Agencies must be fully onboarded and have an active, executed agreement in place with Graphic Packaging to submit candidates for open positions. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Graphic Packaging, and no recruitment fees will be owed.

Requisition: 16493

Apply Now (https://career55.sapsf.eu/careers?company=graphicpac&career\_ns=job\_application&career\_job\_req\_id=16493)

How this job compares

Set against the 8,290 open Operations Manager jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$136–181K/yr
  • Illinois median$75–98K/yr218 salary ranges
  • US median$84–118K/yr4,789 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $158K, is 87% above the Illinois median midpoint ($84K) — in the top quarter of Operations Manager salary ranges in Illinois.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 300 open Operations Manager jobs in Illinois and 8,290 across the US. 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Illinois
Experience
This posting asks for at least 7 years of experience — more than three in four Operations Manager postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 6,249 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 1,745 of the 8,290 open Operations Manager jobs (21%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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