Plant Manager

Job Summary

Plant Manager - Compensation: $150,000 to $180,000 - 25% bonus

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Plant Manager to lead all aspects of manufacturing and plant operations. This individual will be responsible for driving operational efficiency, product quality, food safety, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and overall plant performance.

The Plant Manager will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership to the operations team while ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and industry standards.

This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who can balance strategic planning with a hands-on approach to managing people, processes, production, and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all phases of plant operations, ensuring efficient utilization of people, equipment, materials, and resources.
• Lead daily production meetings and provide updates on production planning, efficiency, downtime, operational challenges, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor production performance and address operational issues in a timely manner.
• Partner with production planning to ensure appropriate schedules, raw materials, supplies, and resources are available to support efficient operations.
• Lead, mentor, develop, and provide performance feedback to direct reports and department leaders.
• Build and maintain a strong leadership pipeline by developing team members for future growth and advancement.
• Partner with the management team to structure operations and workflows for maximum efficiency and productivity.
• Monitor and report key plant performance metrics, including KPIs and other operational measures.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and waste reduction.
• Implement and support improvement teams and Lean or world-class manufacturing initiatives.
• Manage capital projects and participate in operational and cost studies.
• Develop and manage plant operating budgets, expense budgets, headcount plans, and performance goals.
• Partner with department leaders to plan and coordinate preventive maintenance, sanitation, cleaning, teardown, and downtime activities.
• Conduct regular staff and communication meetings to review priorities, address issues, and ensure accountability for follow-up items.
• Ensure the facility is prepared for internal, external, customer, vendor, regulatory, and food safety inspections and audits.
• Promote a strong culture of food safety, quality, safety awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Work with department leaders to ensure non-conforming products are properly dispositioned and addressed in a timely manner.
• Manage and maintain productive relationships with vendors and address vendor-related operational issues.
• Support commercial and business growth initiatives, including participating in meetings with prospective customers when needed.
• Communicate and reinforce organizational priorities, strategic goals, and operational objectives.
• Create an environment where employees are empowered to take ownership of their responsibilities and contribute to plant success.
• Maintain a visible and active presence throughout the facility and provide hands-on leadership when needed.
• Maintain a strong sense of urgency during normal operations, equipment breakdowns, downtime, and other operational challenges.
• Conduct training sessions and lead operational meetings as needed.
• Build positive working relationships with plant leadership, employees, peers, customers, and vendors.
• Remain available to provide operational support during off-hours when necessary.

Leadership & Team Management

The Plant Manager will lead and develop a cross-functional plant team and will be responsible for creating a positive, accountable, and high-performing work environment.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to:

• Motivate individuals and teams to achieve plant and organizational goals.
• Build strong morale, engagement, and accountability across the operation.
• Influence and develop leaders at multiple levels of the organization.
• Create a collaborative, team-oriented culture.
• Balance employee empowerment with strong operational discipline and performance expectations.
• Lead through change and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5 10+ years of progressive production and operations management experience, preferably within a manufacturing or food production environment.
• Proven track record of successfully leading teams and improving plant performance.
• Experience managing manufacturing operations, production, quality, safety, and operational performance.
• Experience with Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or World-Class Manufacturing methodologies.
• Experience managing budgets, headcount planning, capital projects, and operational expenses.
• Experience preparing facilities for regulatory, customer, internal, and external audits or inspections.
• Experience working with ERP systems; Microsoft Dynamics AX experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on leadership style with a high degree of initiative, flexibility, and accountability.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing efficiency, productivity, downtime reduction, and operational performance metrics.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, operational documentation, and applicable regulations.
• Ability to prepare reports, business correspondence, presentations, and procedural documentation.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to perform operational and cost analysis.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a strong operational leader who is equally comfortable developing people, solving problems on the plant floor, and driving strategic operational improvements.

The ideal candidate is someone who brings a sense of urgency, ownership, and accountability to the operation while creating an environment where teams can succeed, grow, and continuously improve.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application online using the link below.