Assistant Plant Manager

Classification: Regular, Full-Time Employee

Schedule: Monday–Friday Weekend Coverage

Location: Pendleton, IN

Department: 500 – Processing

Reports To: Plant Manager; Vice President of Operations

Direct Reports: Shift Supervisors, Cleaning Crew

Company Overview:

Nutrition 101 LLC – headquartered in Pendleton, IN – is a leader in eco-friendly waste handling and innovative food lifecycle management solutions. We help food processors, manufacturers, and retailers maximize value by turning food byproducts into sustainable resources, from upcycled livestock feed to comprehensive waste management services. For more information about 101, visit www.101.us.

Job Summary: The Assistant Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in optimizing plant processes and overseeing the daily operations and overall success of the plant. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient production, document control, and quality control, managing plant personnel and cleaning crew, and implementing safety and compliance measures in accordance with the Company’s standardized policies, processes and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understand, uphold, and communicate regularly the Company’s vision, mission and core values.
• Maintain strict adherence to all Company policies, processes and procedures in accordance with the Employee Manual, the Safety Manual, and The Animal Food Safety Plan.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and directing the day-to-day plant operations ensuring all loads and activities are processed completely and efficiently in accordance with the Company’s standardized policies, processes, and procedures.
• Manage liquid, powder, waste, and recycling flow in and out of the plant.
• Assist with the supervision and organization of all processing, drying, and maintenance activities, as well as personnel management during each shift.
• As needed, it may be required to assist with the day-to-day operations of all processing, drying, and maintenance activities at the Pendleton plant.
• Enter load data into 101’s Accounting System. Review all processing loads and loads that require destruction documentation into ERP daily. Ensure every load is entered into the system correctly within one day of processing.
• Monitor production schedules to ensure timely and efficient completion of goals and activities.
• Review and coordinate load scheduling, understand schedule priorities and forecasts, and communicate load completion with Dispatch, Processing teams, Drying teams, and Sales Teams.
• Coordinate activities with other departments to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
• Maintain relevant documentation/reporting and confirm daily load records are complete and accurate.
• Ensure procedural consistency within all activities; assist in creating and revising cGMPs in accordance with Company standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Forecast liquid and powder feed production and adjust plant schedules to stay ahead of inbound loads.
• Confirm manhours and liquid production are in line with efficient production expectations.
• Observe and maintain the condition of the plant and grounds at all times; coordinate cleaning activity in accordance with Company standards.
• Manage the dock, moving materials off the dock quickly. Confirm the dock floor is clean, clear, and orderly at all times.
• Prepare products for outbound shipment, including sampling, inventory, and labeling.
• Validate the daily supervisor checklists are being completed.
• Organize parking area. Coordinate parking of all 101 and 3rd party trailers so they are uniform and safe from damage.
• Complete ERP Equipment Manager (Yard Manager) at the beginning, throughout, and at the end of every workday for effective communication with dispatch.
• Confirm completion of Evaporator/Drying Data sheets at the beginning, throughout, and the end of every workday for historical data and troubleshooting.
• Learn and obtain all necessary certifications to operate processing and drying equipment:

• Fork Truck
• Aerial Lift
• Robot
• Floor Scrubber
• Evaporator
• Dryer
• Processing Shift Lead, Supervisor, Drying Supervisor Checklists

• Know how to operate all equipment efficiently and understand when it needs maintenance. Assist with preventative maintenance as needed.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with processing schedule, as needed.
• Responsible for 24-hour emergency operational troubleshooting issues.
• For liquids, sample and check pH, dry matter, titratable acids, etc., and logging of each. For powder, mix and send samples for further testing weekly or as needed. Confirm that equipment is calibrated with Maintenance in a timely manner. Understand how various products are treated once received by customers and communicate to the processing team.
• Address any quality issues promptly and develop corrective action plans.
• Obtain AFIA QI (Qualified Individual) and PCQI (Preventative Controls Qualified Individual) training and keep the Pendleton facility in compliance; confirm new employees are trained as QIs and confirm 101 Feed Safety and AFIA Quality standards are being met at all times in the plant.
• Manage pest control at the plant.
• Confirm processing and drying crews are documenting and photographing loads correctly. Scan and upload to 101 server as required.
• Assist with staffing and scheduling of personnel to ensure adequate coverage for each shift.
• Confirm completed new hire, existing employee, and temporary employee paperwork is sent to HR once completed. Update New Employee Checklist.
• Supervise, train, and mentor plant employees to foster a skilled and motivated workforce. Participate in the disciplinary action of employees as needed in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Manage the plant cleaning crew for optimum efficiency and cleanliness throughout the plant. Validate work is being completed as directed each day.
• Assist in performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
• Handle employee relations and resolve conflicts in a fair and timely manner.
• Provide training to all team members. Create, track, and validate results of training programs and certifications with regards to industry knowledge and Company processes and procedures. Update training programs as necessary to maintain standards are up-to-date and compliant.
• Review and approve payroll (as needed by Plant Manager).
• Conduct regular hazard inspections and audits to ensure compliance with quality guidelines.
• Work with 101 Environmental Health & Safety to confirm all plant activities are safe for employees and compliant with applicable standards. Ensure adherence to all safety regulations and protocols to create a safe working environment.
• Understand safety policies and stop unsafe activity; Follow up with incident report completion and corrective action.
• Conduct safety training sessions and drills for employees.
• Participate in safety committee and follow-up corrective actions.
• Identify areas for process improvement and implement innovative solutions. Assist in the revision and creation of new cGMPs.
• Confirm procedural consistency with cGMPs and address and reinforce discrepancies immediately upon discovery.
• Work with the Plant Manager to develop and execute cost-saving initiatives. Utilize lean manufacturing principles to enhance operational efficiency.
• Work with Maintenance, processing, and drying to confirm adequate materials are inventoried and on site to keep operations moving. Order necessary consumable materials as needed to avoid disruption.
• Manage tote inventory and confirm adequate totes are available for 101 customer needs. Coordinate repair of totes as required.
• Manage asset damage via the 101 Customer Damage Smartsheet and verify when and how 101 equipment was damaged, that proper photographic evidence and documentation have been created, and communicate to 101 Management and Customers.
• Prepare regular reports on production metrics, quality control, and operational performance.

• Assist with invoicing review and troubleshooting issues with the Accounting Team until resolved.
• Gather data and assemble periodic analyses for 101 management.

• Manage the documentation of all powder production, including incoming and outgoing powder. Work with the drying team to ensure all powder is accounted for.
• Assist with the tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to confirm the plant is operating at peak performance. Propose suggestions about where improvements can be made.
• Communicate production projections daily.
• Attend all Company meetings and trainings as directed by management.
• Pursue and recommend industry and leadership development training programs for review.
• Must comply with all Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs_ and facility hygiene standards.
• No jewelry, watches, or visible piercings (including facial or tongue piercings) are permitted inside the production area in accordance with federal food safety regulations (21 CFR 117.10)
• Employees must be able to remove all jewelry and piercings prior to reporting to work in processing zones.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing, processing, or plant operations environment required.
• Proven ability to supervise, coach, and develop large operational teams.
• Knowledge of cGMPs, OSHA, DOT, and Feed Safety regulations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience improving operational efficiency and managing production metrics.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with industrial processing equipment.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and adapt to changing production needs.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and climb for extended periods within a plant environment.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs regularly; heavier loads with assistance.
• Comfortable working in varied conditions (heat, cold, humidity, odors, and noise).
• Capable of repetitive motion, bending, and manual handling of materials.
• Must wear and maintain required PPE (steel-toe boots, gloves, safety glasses, etc.).
• Ability to safely access elevated areas using ladders, lifts, or platforms.
• Must maintain situational awareness in fast-paced, high-traffic environments.

Benefits:

• Competitive Base Salary DOE Performance-Based Bonuses
• Health Insurance Coverage & Wellness Incentives
• 401(k) with up to 4% Company Match
• Company Holidays & Paid Time Off
• Opportunities for Career Growth and Development
• Collaborative and Supportive Work Environment
• Employee Empowerment Program – We are all owners!
• Expense Reimbursement
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Flexible Working Arrangement

Nutrition 101 is owned by Palo Alto, CA-based Altamont Capital Partners. Founded in 2010, Altamont Capital Partners is a private equity firm with over $4.5 billion of capital under management, focused on long-term, control investments in middle-market businesses.

Altamont partners with strong management teams to support strategic and operational transitions, providing resources and guidance to drive sustainable growth. The firm primarily invests across business services, financial services, healthcare, technology, consumer products, retail, aerospace, and defense sectors. For more information, visit www.altamontcapital.com.