Plant Manager
About The Position
The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational performance, and financial success of the manufacturing facility. This position oversees all aspects of plant operations including production, maintenance, quality assurance, food safety, inventory management, workforce development, safety compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Plant Manager serves as the senior on-site leader and is accountable for achieving operational excellence while maintaining the highest standards of employee safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. This role collaborates closely with Executive Leadership, Supply Chain, Logistics, Customer Service, Accounting, Human Resources, Quality, and Maintenance teams to ensure the facility meets production goals, customer demands, and organizational objectives. The Plant Manager is responsible for building a high-performing culture focused on safety, accountability, operational efficiency, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing, processing, or production leadership experience.
- Minimum 5 years of direct management experience leading supervisors and large production teams.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, workplace safety programs, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Experience managing budgets, labor planning, and operational financial performance.
- Demonstrated success leading teams and improving operational performance.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field preferred.
- SQF Practitioner certification or equivalent food safety experience.
- USDA-regulated manufacturing experience.
- Forklift certification and operational experience.
- Front-end loader operation experience.
- Skid steer operation experience.
- Experience within agriculture, feed, pet food, food processing, rendering, or manufacturing environments.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement training.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and direction for all plant operations, ensuring alignment with company goals, performance objectives, and growth initiatives.
- Lead, develop, coach, and mentor management, supervisory, and production teams while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop succession plans, workforce strategies, and employee development programs to ensure long-term organizational success.
- Partner with executive leadership on capital projects, facility expansions, process improvements, and strategic planning initiatives.
- Direct all production, maintenance, sanitation, inventory, and operational activities to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and profitability objectives.
- Monitor plant performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and cost reduction.
- Collaborate with Maintenance teams to ensure effective preventive maintenance programs and minimize operational downtime.
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards.
- Maintain compliance with SQF, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, customer, and internal quality requirements.
- Manage plant budgets, labor planning, operating expenses, capital expenditures, and financial performance.
- Partner with Accounting and Finance to analyze operational costs, monitor key financial metrics, and identify opportunities for improved profitability and efficiency.
- Ensure accurate inventory management and responsible stewardship of company assets and resources.
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Logistics, Customer Service, Quality, Human Resources, and Accounting teams to support production schedules, customer requirements, and business objectives.
- Coordinate inventory planning, material procurement, transportation activities, and customer fulfillment to ensure uninterrupted operations and exceptional service levels.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with vendors, customers, regulatory agencies, and other key stakeholders.
- Collaborate on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and retention efforts for plant personnel.
- Ensure staffing levels support operational requirements while developing a highly skilled and engaged workforce.
- Promote employee development through coaching, training programs, leadership development, and succession planning initiatives.
- Ensure the safe and efficient operation of plant equipment and facilities, including forklifts, front-end loaders, skid steers, and other industrial machinery.
- Oversee facility maintenance, asset management, and capital improvement projects to support operational excellence and future growth.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
High school or GED
