Director, Site

Van Drunen Farms • Momence, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Van Drunen Farms, we’re not just providing ingredients; we’re providing people with purpose and possibility. As a trusted partner in delivering fruit, vegetable, herb, and grain-based ingredient solutions to companies around the globe, we’re striving to build a values-aligned workforce that embodies humility, integrity, passion, and excellence. This role involves leading all plant operations, overseeing people, processes, and assets to deliver safe, high-quality products on schedule. The Director will set and execute plant strategy, goals, and budgets to drive performance across safety, quality, service, and profitability. They will also build and develop high-performing teams by fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement, and partner with Operations Leadership to support company-wide supply strategy and production planning. The role also includes driving operational excellence through process improvements, efficiency gains, and throughput optimization, ensuring compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including OSHA and food safety programs, and serving as the plant’s primary leader for customer engagement, community relations, and overall organizational health.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in plant operations or manufacturing leadership roles.
• Proven success leading a food processing or manufacturing facility.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budgeting, cost control, and performance metrics.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to execute and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership presence with excellent communication and team development skills.
• Working knowledge of production systems, equipment, and operational controls.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations, overseeing people, processes, and assets to deliver safe, high-quality products on schedule.
• Set and execute plant strategy, goals, and budgets to drive performance across safety, quality, service, and profitability.
• Build and develop high-performing teams by fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Operations Leadership to support company-wide supply strategy and production planning.
• Drive operational excellence through process improvements, efficiency gains, and throughput optimization.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including OSHA and food safety programs.
• Serve as the plant’s primary leader for customer engagement, community relations, and overall organizational health.

Benefits

• This role may further qualify for supplemental compensation in the form of bonus and incentive programs, contingent upon achieving pre-established individual and company performance metrics.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid holidays and vacation.
• Tuition assistance and 401(k) with company match.
• Executive-level leadership opportunity with full plant ownership.
• Ability to shape culture, performance, and long-term operational strategy.
• Career growth within a global ingredient manufacturing organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director