What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Operations Manager position at Idaho Potato Starch?
Job Title: Plant Operations Manager
Location: American Falls, Idaho
Company: Idaho Potato Starch
About Idaho Potato Starch
Idaho Potato Starch is a newly established processing facility dedicated to transforming raw potatoes into high-quality dried starch products. Located in the heart of Idaho’s potato-growing region, our mission is to deliver consistent, high-value starch while maintaining operational excellence, efficiency, and safety.
Position Summary
The Plant Operations Manager will oversee the daily operations of the Idaho Potato Starch processing plant, ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe production from raw potato intake through final starch drying and packaging. This role requires a strong technical foundation in processing plant operations, hands-on mechanical aptitude, a solid understanding of the potato/agricultural industry, and proven leadership abilities. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver capable of managing people, production processes, and plant performance to achieve company goals.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Manage all day-to-day plant operations to ensure consistent production output, product quality, and operational efficiency.
- Develop and implement operational procedures, workflow improvements, and plant-wide best practices.
- Oversee production scheduling, resource allocation, and inventory management.
Technical & Mechanical Oversight
- Maintain a complete understanding of the plant’s processing equipment and mechanical systems.
- Troubleshoot, diagnose, and assist with equipment repairs, modifications, and optimizations as needed.
- Collaborate with maintenance teams to implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
- Ensure plant equipment meets operational, safety, and regulatory standards.
Agricultural & Industry Integration
- Utilize knowledge of the potato industry, crop variability, and raw product characteristics to optimize processing performance.
- Coordinate with growers, suppliers, and logistics partners to ensure consistent raw product supply.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with the sales team to ensure alignment between production capabilities and customer demand.
- Support product quality initiatives and collaborate with quality assurance personnel to meet customer and regulatory expectations.
People Management & Leadership
- Lead, train, and develop plant staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.
- Manage staffing needs, performance evaluations, employee scheduling, and workforce development.
- Promote a positive and collaborative work environment.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including food safety, environmental, and workplace safety standards.
- Champion a safety-first culture through training, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Required:
- Extensive experience in processing plant operations, preferably within food, agricultural, or industrial manufacturing environments.
- Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with the willingness and ability to perform hands-on equipment work.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams in an operations setting.
- Solid understanding of agricultural supply chains, ideally within the potato industry.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, Industrial Technology, Agriculture, or a related field (preferred but not required).
- Experience launching or scaling new plant operations.
Compensation
Salary will be negotiated during the interview process and will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capability.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and interest in the role. Interviews will be setup either in person or via Zoom.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $60,000 - $90,000