Assistant Plant Manager
About The Position
The Assistant Plant Manager leads production, maintenance, and planning departments, with support from Engineering, EHS, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, this role drives safety, quality, customer service, productivity, and cost performance while fostering employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement. A key focus is advancing Lean Manufacturing, eliminating waste, optimizing processes, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and developing people to achieve strong operational performance. The role leads plant operations and service functions, establishes and executes annual operating goals and strategic initiatives, and promotes a safe, clean, inclusive, team-oriented workplace. It drives continuous improvement and process development, manages plant budgets and operating performance, and develops leaders and employees. The position also ensures compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, employment, equal opportunity, compensation, privacy, and nondiscrimination requirements, as well as relevant food packaging safety and quality practices.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- At least 8 years of progressive professional experience in plant operations; experience in a high-volume process manufacturer is preferred.
- Prior team management experience and a proven track record of developing, coaching, and mentoring a diverse staff.
- Strong business acumen and understanding of P&L management, annual budgeting, capital projects, productivity improvement initiatives, and performance metrics.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, communication, and influencing skills across organizational levels.
- Ability to lead, develop, and challenge diverse managers and leaders to meet or exceed performance expectations.
- Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects from initiation through execution.
- Self-directed and effective in a fast-paced environment with multiple accountabilities and internal customers.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule during key business deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within high-performing teams.
Nice To Haves
- MBA or other advanced degree.
- Experience in a high-volume process manufacturer.
Responsibilities
- Lead plant operations and service functions to meet safety, quality, productivity, customer service, and cost objectives.
- Establish and execute annual plant operating goals and strategic initiatives aligned with executive leadership and business objectives.
- Create a safe, clean, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace that engages employees in improving plant performance.
- Lead plant operations leaders to strengthen safety, quality, productivity, equipment performance, and employee development.
- Represent the Company within the local and state community when appropriate, maintaining integrity and ethical conduct.
- Drive continuous improvement and process development initiatives that strengthen operational performance and support Lean Manufacturing objectives.
- Apply Lean principles to eliminate waste, strengthen workforce capability, improve operating effectiveness, and meet customer requirements.
- Lead initiatives to improve productivity, equipment effectiveness, service levels, and overall plant performance.
- Develop and obtain approval for manufacturing budgets and operating standards aligned with business requirements.
- Manage plant operating performance across staffing, costs, service levels, quality, and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Review financial performance and resource requirements to maintain appropriate operating budgets and support business needs.
- Apply business and financial acumen to support productivity initiatives, capital investments, performance metrics, and plant profitability.
- Coach, develop, and hold leaders and employees accountable for performance, capability, and achievement of business objectives.
- Develop and challenge a diverse team of managers and leaders to achieve or exceed performance expectations.
- Maintain effective internal and external communication in support of Company mission, values, goals, and business objectives.
- Ensure plant operations comply with applicable environmental, health, safety, employment, equal opportunity, compensation, privacy, and nondiscrimination requirements.
- Maintain accountability for facility environmental, health, and safety programs and adherence to Company principles and policies.
- Ensure safe work practices protect employees, the environment, and business operations.
- Where applicable, maintain compliance with food packaging safety and quality practices and ensure food safety concerns are escalated for appropriate action.
Benefits
- Role is eligible for an 18% annual incentive, provided the business meets financial goals and the individual meets performance goals, subject to plan administration guidelines.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
