We’re seeking a dynamic Plant Manager to take the helm of a high-performing, around-the-clock food production facility. This is a partially automated site supplying a fast-moving and diverse agri-food market. The role combines strategic vision with operational excellence, driving results across production, engineering, quality, safety, and talent development.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee and align all site functions—production, maintenance, engineering, quality, health & safety, environment, HR, and training—ensuring goals are achieved on time and within budget.
- Partner daily with central teams such as finance, procurement, logistics, quality assurance, and engineering.
- Promote a proactive safety culture, maintaining compliance with all regulatory standards.
- Track performance using KPIs, leading regular, data-driven reviews to improve cost, quality, flexibility, and productivity.
- Manage facility maintenance, equipment reliability, and capital asset investment.
- Develop and manage the annual operational budget, controlling costs through process optimization and efficiency initiatives.
- Address production issues, customer concerns, and quality non-conformities, implementing timely corrective actions.
- Lead and coach site leadership and staff, overseeing hiring, training, and succession planning.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, local, state, and federal regulations, including permits and licensing.
- Represent the facility in community, industry, and stakeholder interactions.
- Provide backup leadership support to other sites as needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Operations, or related field (process control experience preferred).
- 10+ years’ experience in senior operational management in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, ideally with experience in unionized settings.
- Knowledge of food manufacturing standards such as GMP, HACCP, and GFSI.
- Experience with Lean, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methods.
- Familiarity with industrial systems such as pumps, conveyors, valves, PLCs, and VFDs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with manufacturing and quality software tools is a plus.
