Plant Manager

LEAHY-IFP•New Lenox, IL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

NLX Beverage Solutions, LLC firmly believes that our employees are the heart of our success. This position description is designed to outline primary duties and qualifications, but not limit one to specified duties, to ensure individual and group success. Job Summary: The Director of Operations will lead all aspects of NLX's manufacturing facility, bringing energy, expertise, and leadership to a fast-paced beverage production environment. This role oversees plant operations, capital projects, process improvement, and performance optimization while driving alignment with company values and strategic goals. Key Areas of Focus: Lead and inspire the plant management team, cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and safety. Collaborate with leadership at NLX, corporate partner Leahy, and sister plant Continuum Packing Solutions to develop and execute consistent operational strategies. Define and track performance metrics (KPIs) to ensure operational excellence across all departments. Champion continuous improvement and Lean initiatives throughout the facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
Minimum 10 years of senior-level management experience in a food and/or beverage manufacturing setting; aseptic experience is a plus.
Proven record of leading safety-first cultures; deep understanding of OSHA and EHS compliance.
Strong communication and public speaking skills; ability to lead meetings and presentations with large groups (25+).
Experienced in mentoring and developing leaders within manufacturing organizations.
Demonstrated success managing large-scale capital projects, including vendor selection, equipment procurement, installation, and ramp-up.
Familiarity with third-party food safety and regulatory audits (e.g., FDA, SQF, BSI, Organic, Kosher, Halal, GFSI).
Extensive experience working with OEMs and vendors across processing, packaging, automation, sanitation, and facility systems.
Skilled in setting KPIs and using data to drive plant performance and continuous improvement.
In-depth experience managing procurement, supply chain, and materials flow in a manufacturing environment.
Proficient in Lean, Six Sigma, and CI practices, with a pragmatic approach to implementation.
Experience managing commercialization of new products and onboarding new customers, including plant tours and cross-functional engagement with R&D, quality, supply chain, and marketing.
Background in managing 24/7 operations and large-scale teams (200+ employees), including multi-site coordination and team building.
Willingness to work additional hours, and tailor schedule appropriately, to support team goals and meet project deadlines.
Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks.
Work environment sometimes involves exposure to inclement weather.
Physically capable of performing tasks such as lifting, climbing, and using hand and power tools, including pallet jacks, scales, ladders, and standard material handling and cleaning equipment.
Capable of safely lifting up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the day; ability to handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques to ensure safety.
Employees must be able to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment that may include exposure to odors, dust, moderate noise levels, and fluctuations in temperature and ventilation.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which may include but is not limited to: safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves, hairnets, uniforms, and face shields, as required by specific job duties and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

Ensure employee safety and well-being through a safe, inclusive, and transparent workplace culture.
Drive plant performance by aligning cross-functional teams with business goals.
Assess current systems and processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
Partner with the General Manager and plant leadership on capital investments and process enhancements.
Develop and execute annual operational plans, including strategic initiatives and departmental priorities.
Provide quarterly assessments of plant performance and recommend corrective actions as needed.
Coach and develop department leaders; build succession plans to promote internal growth.
Design and implement an optimized organizational structure with a focus on business continuity.
Lead facility-wide CI, Lean, and Six Sigma initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Oversee execution of performance, quality, and financial goals through strategic operational improvements.