Plant Manager

The Plant Manager is accountable for the overall performance of the manufacturing facility, with full responsibility for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and service. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure the plant operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements while delivering high-quality products that meet customer expectations. The Plant Manager optimizes people, processes, and assets to achieve business objectives and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Establish clear plant goals aligned with corporate strategy and business initiatives
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans for the leadership team
• Develop, coach, and lead both salaried and hourly teams to achieve operational excellence
• Foster a positive, engaged, and accountable team-oriented culture

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Lead and support behavior-based safety and process safety management initiatives
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, and security standards, including HACCP and GMPs
• Maintain adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency, and service levels
• Ensure finished goods consistently meet internal and external quality requirements
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to improve operational performance

Financial & Asset Management

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget and capital plan
• Ensure effective use of plant resources to achieve cost targets
• Oversee maintenance strategy, infrastructure reliability, and inventory management
• Ensure procurement of materials, supplies, and utilities required for uninterrupted operations

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure effective performance reporting and communication of plant metrics
• Maintain strong communication with corporate partners and other facilities
• Build and sustain positive relationships with unions, external partners, and the local community

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related technical discipline

Experience

• Extensive leadership experience in plant or production operations
• Prior experience in food manufacturing is preferred
• Experience working in a unionized environment is a plus

Technical & Systems Knowledge

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems such as ERP/MRP
• Familiarity with plant automation systems, PLCs, warehouse, and inventory management systems
• Ability to interface with accounting, production planning, and order processing systems

Core Competencies

• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Confident, visible leadership with the ability to influence at all levels
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities
• Root-cause problem-solving and a continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to build teamwork, accountability, and high performance across the organization