Plant Manager

Plant Manager, Lewis Bakeries.

This position reports to the Senior Vice President Manufacturing/General Manager and is responsible for implementing best practices and standards for product and process to promote efficient production of consistent quality bread, bun and roll products. This position has direct responsibility of ensuring all work activities under its span of control are performed with attention to the highest standards of food quality, safe processes, compliance with all appropriate legal requirements and a focus on continuous process improvement.

ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee manufacturing operations for a commercial baking facility consisting of hourly associates and a management staff.
• Responsible for all aspects of operations and achieving key performance measurements related to personnel safety, quality and food safety, service, and cost, while continually improving process reliability and performance.
• Build a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and professionalism, demonstrating active support in the Company’s values and policies.
• Train, coach, oversee and manage Production, Engineering, Sanitation and Shipping departments and managers.
• Conducts performance appraisals and talent assessments of the management team and recommends and/or implements appropriate training programs to address developmental needs.
• Implement company standards for formulas, scaling weights, pan sizes, bag sizes, bake times, and all production control processes for bread and roll products.
• Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to set a vision, manage change, develop others, and strategically plan for continuous improvement.
• Ability to plan and coordinate use of manpower, ingredients, and equipment to ensure efficient production of consistent quality products.
• Direct resources of plant and equipment toward the most efficient production of baked goods
• Coordinate with Sanitation to ensure plants and equipment meet regulatory requirements for cleanliness and product safety.
• Implement best practices to achieve company standards on controllable costs.
• Promote safety through work procedures, and employee safety programs.
• Ability to trouble shoot equipment to ensure optimum product quality is achieved.
• Ensure that consistent quality product is provided to Sales on a timely basis.
• Ensure that all union contractual obligations are fulfilled.
• Coordinate and implement company policies and procedures in all areas.
• Ensure compliance of all Local, State & Federal regulations and recall procedures
• Evaluate product quality to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Collaborative and able to build/maintain partnering relationships within all departments and key managers.
• Demonstrated ability to function successfully in a fast paced, changing work environment.
• Coordinates the daily and weekly production schedule.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• 5 years of work experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment required preferably within the bread and bun baking industry.
• 5 years of experience leading a high-performance management team.
• In-depth knowledge of baking science and technology, process control, improvement and understanding of the unique equipment in a large-scale bakery production plant, along with operation of that equipment relative to the baking process.
• Solid understanding in the functionality of ingredients with time and temperature in the baking process
• Strong oral and written communications, planning and problem-solving skills, influence leadership and team development skills.
• Good computer skills, Excel, Word, etc.....

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Union management experience is strongly desired.
• Completion of American Institute of Baking (AIB) in-residence baking science and technology course and AIB Science of Baking correspondence course strongly desired (NOT A MUST)
• Knowledge of BRC is highly preferred.
• Continuous improvement or Lean experience.

About Lewis Bakeries

Founded in 1925, Lewis Bakeries is a family-owned company producing high-quality breads, buns, and rolls under trusted brands including Bunny Bread®, Lewis Bake Shop®, and Healthy Life®. With operations across Indiana and Tennessee, we are committed to innovation, reliability, and investing in our people.

Why Join Lewis Bakeries

• Family-owned and operated since 1925
• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, 401(k), and company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Growth and development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lewis Bakeries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, drug screening, and reference check.

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