Plant Director
About The Position
Reporting to the Senior Director of Supply, the Plant Director leads the Zanesville site for the Accelerator business—the division supporting KIND, Tru Fru, Nature's Bakery, and the newly acquired Kellanova brands. The role is responsible for overall plant performance, driving operational excellence across safety, quality, service, cost, and talent development while ensuring the site is positioned to meet current and future business needs. As the Accelerator division continues to evolve, this role will lead organizational transformation, support brand integration, and build the capabilities, culture, and performance needed to enable sustained growth.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- Significant manufacturing leadership experience, including experience leading a plant, business unit, or large functional area within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, TPM, or Operational Excellence initiatives.
- Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to inspire, develop, and engage teams.
- Experience managing plant financial performance, including budget development, cost management, and capital planning.
- Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and change management capabilities.
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across functions and organizational levels.
- All applicants must have permanent legal authorization to work in the United States. Kellanova does not sponsor employment visas for this role.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a union manufacturing environment preferred.
- Food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or related industry experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead all plant operations to safely deliver production goals while maintaining excellence in quality, food safety, service, and cost.
- Establish performance expectations and hold teams accountable for achieving business objectives.
- Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring alignment with business priorities.
- Monitor plant financial performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and deliver cost savings.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives by leveraging Lean, TPM, and problem-solving methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall plant performance.
- Build, develop, and engage a high-performing workforce through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
- Foster an inclusive culture that values teamwork, accountability, and employee growth.
- Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, HR, and other business functions to execute strategic priorities, drive innovation, and support business growth while ensuring operational excellence.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, food safety, and regulatory requirements while promoting a culture where employee safety and product quality are top priorities.
Benefits
- Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance are also available.
- medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance
- employee assistance program
- short-term disability coverage
- long-term disability insurance
- voluntary income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident
- 401(k) plan with company contributions
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
