Plant Manager

Location: Kelso, WA

A leading food manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Plant Manager to provide overall leadership for a large-scale production facility. This role will oversee production, warehousing, distribution, engineering, quality, safety, and workforce development while helping drive operational excellence, profitability, and future growth.

This is a highly visible leadership position that partners closely with operations, quality assurance, engineering, human resources, finance, regulatory agencies, and customers to ensure the facility consistently delivers safe, high-quality products in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

• Provide overall leadership for all plant operations, including production, warehousing, distribution, maintenance, safety, and support functions.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term operational strategies that improve cost performance, efficiency, product quality, and profitability.
• Build, coach, and develop leadership teams while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, regulatory, environmental, and workplace safety requirements.
• Partner with engineering, quality, and technical teams to support capital projects, process improvements, new product initiatives, and facility expansion efforts.
• Lead budgeting, workforce planning, and operational performance management to support future growth and business objectives.
  
  

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Food Science, or a related field.
• 10 years of progressive leadership experience within food manufacturing, food processing, protein, meat, or poultry operations.
• Proven success managing plant-wide operations with responsibility for production, quality, safety, warehousing, and financial performance.
• Strong understanding of food safety systems, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement practices.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, labor planning, cost controls, capital projects, and operational performance metrics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, team-building, and employee relations skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.