Senior-Level Plant Director

WK Kellogg Co•Battle Creek, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

WK Kellogg Co is seeking an accomplished manufacturing leader to direct its large-scale plant operation in Battle Creek, Michigan, during a period of supply chain modernization. The Plant Director will lead transformation, build organizational and technical capability, strengthen culture, and turn investment into sustainable operational performance. The role has accountability for safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, employee engagement, and plant financial results. The position leads transformation, modernization, and capital initiatives from strategy through execution, using disciplined performance management, data-driven decisions, and continuous improvement systems. It also calls for building and developing a leadership team, fostering engagement and accountability, and maintaining productive labor-management partnerships in a unionized environment. The Plant Director champions safety, food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and risk management, while translating business priorities into clear objectives and measurable results. The position requires 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.

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.
Ability to work a full shift, arrive at work on time, work overtime as needed, and follow the schedule necessary to meet job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Lead a large-scale, 24/7 manufacturing operation, with accountability for safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and employee engagement.
Lead major transformation, modernization, and capital initiatives from strategy through execution and sustainable performance.
Drive operational excellence through disciplined performance management, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement systems.
Build 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, driving 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.