What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager position at BAKERY BLING?
The Plant Manager is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of bakery manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, compliant, and profitable production. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across production, maintenance, quality, sanitation, warehousing, and employee development, while driving continuous improvement in food safety, quality, cost, delivery, and workforce engagement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Plant Manager is accountable for overall plant performance and will perform the following duties, including but not limited to:
Leadership & Strategy
Act as the primary liaison between plant operations and executive leadership
Participate in the development of strategic operational goals and ensure effective execution at the plant level
Establish performance expectations and hold leadership teams accountable for results
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement
Manufacturing Operations
Direct and manage all daily manufacturing activities to meet safety, quality, production, and cost objectives
Ensure production schedules meet customer demand while optimizing labor, equipment, and material utilization
Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions as necessary
Coordinate cross-functional activities among production, maintenance, quality, sanitation, and warehousing
Financial & Performance Management
Develop, manage, and control the plant operating budget
Analyze financial and operational performance and drive cost-reduction and efficiency initiatives
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and communicate results to employees and stakeholders
Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure all products meet company quality standards and applicable food safety requirements
Lead compliance with FDA, HACCP, SQF (Safe Quality Food), OSHA, and all other applicable regulatory and customer standards
Ensure the facility remains compliant with SQF system requirements and provide leadership, resources, and oversight to support the SQF program
Lead and support internal and external audits and ensure timely corrective actions
Continuous Improvement
Champion continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and problem-solving methodologies
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, enhance quality, and improve safety performance
Human Resources & Talent Development
Oversee staffing, training, performance management, and succession planning for plant personnel
Support employee engagement, retention, diversity, and professional development initiatives
Ensure effective onboarding and training of new team members
Address employee relations issues in collaboration with Human Resources
Safety & Maintenance
Promote and actively support an injury-free work environment
Ensure adherence to all safety policies and procedures
Partner with the Maintenance Manager to ensure equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and timely repairs
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership of the plant workforce, including direct supervision of department managers and indirect supervision of all plant employees.
Qualifications:Minimum of 5–10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in food or bakery manufacturing
Proven leadership experience managing multi-department manufacturing teams
Strong working knowledge of FDA, HACCP, SQF, and OSHA requirements
Demonstrated experience in budgeting, cost control, and performance management
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and continuous improvement skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficient in standard business and manufacturing software systems
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, Business, or a related field
Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to support safety, training, reporting, and documentation requirements.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to perform basic arithmetic using whole numbers and decimals. Working knowledge of units of measure including grams, ounces, and pounds. Ability to calculate time using days, hours, and minutes.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS (ADA COMPLIANCE)
The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, and occasionally taste or smell food ingredients. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift more than 50 pounds with assistance or mechanical devices. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.