Plant Director

Refresco Careers•Fort Gibson, OK

About The Position

The Plant Director reports to the Sr. Director of Operations and oversees daily plant operations. The role is responsible for efficient production processes, quality standards, cost management, and personnel leadership. The director guides plant operations through supervision, communication, and corrective action as needed, and operates the plant in accordance with corporate and plant policies, customer requirements, and approved budgets. The position leads plant personnel and management, sets objectives aligned with corporate goals and customer needs, and monitors results and business metrics. It also ensures compliance with health, safety, food quality, food safety, sanitation, environmental, and security requirements, while driving improvements in productivity, waste reduction, and resource use. The role is based in a fast-paced production plant and may require work on weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight, and holidays. Travel is anticipated rarely.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a related field.
10 or more 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 with a results-oriented approach.
Ability to work under deadline pressure.
Organized and detail-oriented, with 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 and procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food quality and food safety standards, and applicable corporate, customer, and governing-body requirements such as SQF.
Lead and direct employees, including hiring, performance management, termination, training, performance evaluations, recruitment, and staff development.
Plan and evaluate staff performance and training, provide direction and instruction, and guide employees on work standards and expected outcomes.
Operate the plant in accordance with corporate and plant policies, customer requirements, and approved budgets.
Set plant objectives based on corporate goals and customer needs, analyze plant results, and address concerns 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.
Regularly observe operating departments to ensure production quality and compliance with sanitation and safety standards.
Collaborate with customers and vendors to fulfill orders within 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.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards, including OSHA and EHS regulations and company protocols.
Develop and implement strategies for workplace safety, accident prevention, energy reduction, and waste minimization.
Review the SQF Annual Review checklist with management.
Set key 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.