Plant Manager

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. • Spartanburg, SC

5d

About The Position

The Plant Manager directs and coordinates overall plant operations and priorities, ensuring that products are produced efficiently and within cost parameters. The role provides work direction to managers, supervisors, and employees in accordance with standard work rules, applicable union contract provisions, and employment policies, and is accountable for achieving plant key performance indicators. The Plant Manager supports continuous improvement to improve productivity, quality, operational efficiency, and facility culture, and manages the operating budget, including capital and expense projects. The role also directs personnel activities such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and salary adjustments within established human resources policies and practices.

This is a single-incumbent role responsible for multiple plants or a large and/or complex plant, which may also have assistant plant managers.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 8 years of experience in a manufacturing environment; food and/or beverage manufacturing experience is preferred.
• At least 2 years of management experience.
• A proven track record of improved results in quality, safety, service, and cost.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing process flow and its importance to operations.
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement models.
• Thorough understanding of regulatory laws and responsibilities related to facility standards.
• Proficient understanding of budgeting and cost control.
• Leadership and coaching skills, with knowledge of supervision, training, and personnel management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
• Critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculation, and statistical evaluation skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork; interact positively and work effectively with others.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in planning and organizing multiple tasks and information.
• Strong initiative and ability to identify solutions to problems.
• Ability to present options and ideas for current processes or procedures.
• Ability to handle challenging or conflicting situations tactfully and professionally.
• Ability to communicate with personnel at various levels to ensure customer needs and requirements are met.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and adapt to and manage change effectively.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate degree in a related curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Manage plant operations across administration, production, processing, packaging, quality, maintenance, warehousing, shipping, purchasing, safety, and environmental functions.
• Set production priorities to ensure efficient production within cost parameters while maintaining safety, quality, and sanitation standards and optimizing workforce, machinery, and equipment utilization.
• Review production, quality control, maintenance, and operational reports to confirm compliance and identify causes of nonconformity with product specifications, customer requirements, and FDA or government regulations; report noncompliance promptly according to established protocols.
• Analyze plant operations and identify opportunities to maintain industry leadership and adopt available processes and technologies.
• Interact with customers to meet operational, customer service, financial, and quality expectations.
• Develop, monitor, and drive plant KPIs related to safety, quality, productivity, and finances, while promoting continuous improvement in results and culture.
• Understand plant profit and loss, participate in developing annual operating, capital, and expense budgets, and provide accurate information to finance for month-end closing.
• Manage or oversee corporate, customer, and government audits to ensure compliance.
• Conduct meetings with management and staff to communicate and address operational issues and establish a shared understanding of goals.
• Communicate company goals and plant direction, and help establish objectives aligned with plant and company goals.
• Direct, mentor, train, and develop managers; select, train, and assign personnel; and support capability development, retention, career development, and succession planning.
• Maintain safe working conditions and compliance with company, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
• Follow DFA good manufacturing practices and comply with company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health and welfare benefits begin on the first day of the month after the start date.
• 401(k) with company contribution, 100% vested on the first day of eligibility.
• Competitive pay.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Career growth opportunities and promotion from within.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Service recognition and employee rewards.
• Employee referral program.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED