Plant Director

Refresco•Fort Gibson, OK

About The Position

The Plant Director oversees daily plant operations, ensuring efficient production processes, maintaining quality standards, managing costs, and leading personnel. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Operations, the role directs plant operations through supervision, information sharing, and corrective action as needed. The director operates the plant in accordance with corporate and plant policies, customer requirements, and approved budgets, and sets objectives based on corporate goals and customer needs. The position leads employees and is responsible for personnel actions, training, performance management, recruitment, and staff development. It analyzes plant results and business metrics, communicates performance and production requirements, and works with customers and vendors to fulfill orders to specified quality, quantity, and cost. The director also drives process improvements and oversees food quality, food safety, sanitation, security, environmental compliance, and business continuity activities. The role is based in a fast-paced production plant with moving equipment, potentially high noise levels, and temperatures that may be very hot or relatively cold. The schedule may include weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight hours, and holidays. Travel is anticipated rarely. The position involves pronounced deadline and production-quota pressure and requires attention to detail using one or two senses at a time.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a related field.
10+ years of relevant leadership experience in food and beverage manufacturing.
Proficiency in Excel, Word, SAP, and PowerPoint.
Proven leadership experience in a production environment.
Ability to work effectively across multiple functions as a team player.
Ability to analyze and solve problems and maintain a results-oriented approach.
Ability to work under deadline pressure.
Organization, attention to detail, and adaptability to change.
Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma or Kaizen.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with health and safety policies, procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices, food quality and food safety standards, and applicable company, customer, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA and EHS regulations.
Lead employees and make personnel decisions, including hiring, performance management, and termination; provide direction, training, instruction, performance evaluations, and staff development.
Operate the plant in accordance with corporate and plant policies, customer requirements, and approved budgets.
Provide leadership and set plant objectives based on corporate goals and customer needs.
Analyze plant results and discuss areas of concern with the management team.
Conduct plant production meetings with employees, including the management team.
Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values.
Observe operating departments regularly to ensure production quality and adherence to sanitation and safety standards.
Collaborate with customers and vendors to fulfill orders to required quality, quantity, and cost specifications.
Manage business metrics, including yield, labor efficiency, and overhead expenses.
Communicate plant goals, production requirements, and performance outcomes across relevant departments and management; provide reports and presentations on key business impacts.
Identify and implement process improvements to increase productivity, reduce waste, and optimize resources.
Develop and implement strategies for workplace safety, accident prevention, energy reduction, and waste minimization.
Review the SQF Annual Review checklist with management.
Determine quality and food safety objectives, assign responsibility, and establish completion time frames.
Oversee site security and food defense.
Lead the Business Continuity Team, including decision-making, oversight, and investigation of actions arising from crisis management incidents.