Senior-Level Plant Director

WK Kellogg•Battle Creek, MI

11d•$216,160 - $270,200•Onsite

About The Position

WK Kellogg Co is seeking an accomplished manufacturing leader to lead its large-scale plant in Battle Creek, Michigan, during a period of supply-chain modernization. The role is accountable for transforming and operating a complex manufacturing operation, developing organizational capability, strengthening culture, and translating investment into sustainable operational performance. The plant operates 24/7, and the director is responsible for safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, employee engagement, and plant financial results. The director will lead modernization, transformation, and capital initiatives from strategy through execution, while using disciplined performance management, data-driven decisions, and continuous-improvement systems to sustain results. The position also leads the plant’s leadership team and workforce, supports talent and succession planning, and partners with union leadership. The role champions safety, food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and risk management. The listed salary range is $216,160–$270,200. The company currently offers incentive-plan bonus eligibility, health, dental and vision insurance, a savings and investment plan with company match and contribution, paid time off including paid sick time, 11 paid holidays, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance for eligible employees, and an employee recognition program. Benefits are subject to company policies and may change. The ability to work a full shift, arrive on time, work overtime as needed, and follow the schedule necessary to meet job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, is an essential function of the position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Food Science, or a related discipline.
10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including leadership of large-scale operations with 300+ employees.
Demonstrated P&L responsibility and strong business and financial acumen.
Leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
Proven success leading significant operational transformation, modernization, and/or major capital investment initiatives.
Strong track record of building leadership capability and high-performing teams.
Food manufacturing experience with a strong focus on safety and quality.
Experience with IWS, Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, or comparable manufacturing systems.

Nice To Haves

Leadership within a large Consumer Packaged Goods organization.
Cereal, food, or beverage manufacturing experience.
Major equipment installation or start-up experience.
Experience with environmental monitoring or microbiological food safety programs.

Responsibilities

Lead a large-scale, 24/7 manufacturing operation and oversee safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and employee engagement.
Lead transformation, modernization, and capital initiatives from strategy through execution and sustained performance.
Drive operational excellence using performance management, data-driven decision-making, and continuous-improvement systems, including IWS, Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma.
Develop organizational and technical capabilities to sustain performance and continuous improvement.
Build, develop, and retain a strong leadership team capable of leading through change.
Create a culture of engagement, accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
Develop organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and workforce planning.
Foster productive labor-management partnerships and work effectively with union leadership.
Own plant financial performance and P&L results; drive productivity, cost optimization, and sound business decisions.
Champion safety, food safety, and quality, with accountability for regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and risk management.
Translate business priorities into clear plant objectives, performance expectations, and measurable results.