POSITION SUMMARY

The Plant Manager will oversee all operations and the P&L at the plant manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production of products. This role is responsible for leading plant operations, driving continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, and managing a high-performance team. The ideal candidate brings proven leadership experience in food manufacturing, operational excellence, and the ability to balance production, quality, safety, and cost efficiency. This person should have proven success at managing a P&L and driving profit and increased efficiencies. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the plant, ensuring production, safety, quality, and cost goals are met.

• Drive performance and achieve assigned KPI's and overall profitability objectives while at the same time grow and mentor a successful plant operations team.

• Develop and implement plant strategies aligned with company objectives.

• Oversee production, maintenance, quality assurance, supply chain, and EHS functions within the facility.

• Drive a culture of safety, compliance, and accountability across all teams.

• Ensure strict compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and other regulatory/food safety requirements.

• Lead and coach plant leadership team to maximize performance and employee engagement.

• Manage plant financial performance, including budgets, KPIs, and cost-control initiatives.

• Champion continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and operational excellence initiatives.

• Partner with corporate leadership on long-term strategic planning, capital projects, and capacity expansion.

• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, regulators, auditors, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in food or dairy manufacturing, with at least 8 years as a Plant Director or Manager

• Strong understanding of dairy, beverage or food processing, pasteurization, filling/packaging, and cold-chain distribution.

• Demonstrated success in driving production efficiency, quality improvements, and cost savings.

• Knowledge of regulatory standards (FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP, HACCP).

• Proven experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and people development skills.

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing plant P&L.