Food manufacturing
Operations professionals in Food manufacturing
These ten professionals have led or managed operations at food manufacturing companies. A reader can learn how food plants plan production, manage food safety and staffing, and coordinate with warehousing and distribution as volumes change.
Professionals to explore
01—10David Seeckts
LinkedInExperience: Operations Director - Food To Go · Samworth Brothers
Operations Director - Food To Go at Samworth Brothers since 2025. A highlight describes a board-level operations and supply chain director focused on operational excellence and transformational change. Other listed roles include Site Director at Samworth Brothers (2022–2025), COO at First Milk (2020–2022) and Director at Optima Management Solutions (2020).
James Ousley
LinkedInExperience: Operations Manager · Atlantic Veal & Lamb LLC
Operations Manager at Atlantic Veal & Lamb LLC since 2026. A highlight headline reads Food Manufacturing Operations Manager and describes Atlantic Veal & Lamb LLC as a food and beverage manufacturer. Other listed roles include Production Supervisor at Shearer's Foods (2025–2026), Manufacturing Supervisor at Fresh Mark Inc. (2024–2025), Production Manager at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. (2022–2024) and Production Supervisor at More Than Gourmet (2021–2022).
Juliana Cavalcante
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Bimbo Bakeries USA
Director of Operations at Bimbo Bakeries USA since 2021. A highlight describes Bimbo Bakeries USA as a Food and Beverage Manufacturing company. Other listed roles include VP Manufacturing QA at Emmy's Organics (2018–2021), Director of Food Safety at Chef'd (2017–2018), Director of Quality Assurance at Juice Served Here (2016–2017) and Process Development Engineer at Bumble Bee Foods (2013–2016).
Lilly Brenes Edwards
LinkedInExperience: Director of Plant Operations · Grecian Delight | Kronos Foods
Former Director of Plant Operations at Grecian Delight | Kronos Foods (2023–2025). A highlight describes over 24 years of experience in food manufacturing and operations management in the US industry. Other listed roles include Director Of Manufacturing at Vital Proteins (2019–2023), Northeast Region HUB Manager at Panera Bread (2017–2019) and Plant Manager at Panera Bread (2015–2017).
Paul Manu
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Michele's Granola
Director of Operations at Michele's Granola since 2020. The profile headline lists food and beverage manufacturing, plant leadership and SQF BRC HACCP, and a highlight describes leading food manufacturing operations focused on performance, food safety and people. Other listed roles include Director of Beverage Production at CraftPack Beverage (2016–2020) and Sr. Production Manager at Lancaster Fine Foods Inc. (2009–2016). Also Founder at Basiq Steps Group since 2016.
Paul Prazak
LinkedInExperience: Director of Manufacturing Operations · JonnyPops
Director of Manufacturing Operations at JonnyPops since 2022. A highlight describes more than 25 years in operations and process optimization for ice cream and novelty labels including JonnyPops, Ice Cream Specialties (Prairie Farms) and Blue Bell. Other listed roles include General Manager at Ice Cream Specialties - Lafayette, IN (2020–2022), Manager of Plant Operations at Blue Bell Creameries (2011–2020), Assistant Plant Superintendent at Blue Bell Creameries (2002–2011) and Production Supervisor at Blue Bell Creameries (1999–2002).
Ramesh K Rajagopalan
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · NAFM Foods
Former Director Of Operations at NAFM Foods (2021–2023). The profile headline describes a food manufacturing leader across chocolate, grain processing and baking, and dairy and beverage. Other listed roles include Operations Manager at Brockmann’s Chocolates (2023–2025), Plant Manager at Silver Hills (2016–2020), Production Manager at Avena Foods Limited (2014–2016) and General Manager at Premier Flour Mills Ltd (2006–2014).
Raymond Stephens
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · Ventura Foods
Former Director Of Operations at Ventura Foods (2016–2018). A highlight describes a Director Of Operations with a history of working in the food production industry, skilled in operations management and business process improvement. Other listed roles include Co-Founder at NARAK LLC (2024–2026), Director of Distribution at Ventura Foods (2019–2023), Senior Director Manufacturing at Ventura Foods (2017–2019) and Director of Manufacturing at Ventura Foods (2016–2017).
Sean Anderson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · Heartland Food Products Group
Former Vice President of Operations at Heartland Food Products Group (2021–2022). A highlight describes a career across three food companies with operations and supply chain expertise including continuous improvement and contract manufacturing. Other listed roles include Vice President of Operations at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (2018–2021), Plant Manager at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (2015–2017), Plant Manager at General Mills (2011–2015) and Plant Manager at General Mills (2007–2011).
Yasbelth Ayala
LinkedInExperience: Director of Plant Operations · Mama's Creations
Director of Plant Operations at Mama's Creations since 2026. A highlight describes more than 15 years in food manufacturing operations across plant operations, procurement, supply chain, warehousing and logistics in USDA- and FDA-regulated environments. Other listed roles include Operations Manager at Lorenzo Food Group, Inc. / York Street Market (2022–2026), Director of Purchasing at Lorenzo Food Group, Inc. / York Street Market (2017–2026) and Purchasing Manager at Lorenzo Food Group, Inc. / York Street Market (2015–2017).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's plant type to your question, since bakery, dairy, meat and prepared-food plants face different food safety, shelf-life and scheduling constraints. Check whether their relevant role is current or past, and ask whether they ran a single plant or operations across several sites.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you build a weekly production schedule when orders, ingredient supply and line capacity all shift?
- 02Which food safety and quality systems did you rely on most, and how did audits change daily plant routines?
- 03Where do handoffs between production, warehousing and distribution most often cause delays, and what fixed them?
Reaching operations professionals in Food manufacturing
How can I contact one of these operations professionals in Food manufacturing?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Samworth Brothers, Atlantic Veal & Lamb LLC and Bimbo Bakeries USA, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach operations professionals in Food manufacturing?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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