Plant Manager

Sugar Mountain•Shullsburg, WI

132d•$130,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is opening a new cheese facility in Shullsburg, Wisconsin and is seeking a Plant Manager to help build and launch the operation. This role will establish the team, set operating standards, and shape day-to-day plant operations. The Plant Manager will lead production, maintenance, quality, and warehouse operations, initially supporting a team of approximately 30 employees. The position is open to relocation, with support available. The role combines hands-on manufacturing leadership with responsibility for plant performance, food safety, regulatory compliance, team development, vendor oversight, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will help create systems that balance artisanal craftsmanship with practical, data-driven decision-making and build a culture of ownership, integrity, and pride in the work.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive manufacturing experience, preferably in food or dairy.
Experience leading production teams, supervisors, or leads.
Strong people leadership skills, including building trust, developing others, and holding people accountable.
Curious, humble, coachable, and quick to learn.
Hands-on leadership approach and willingness to work on the production floor.
High integrity and commitment to doing the right thing.
Strong commitment to product quality and consistency.
Builder mindset and comfort creating and improving systems.
Comfort using data and tools to improve operations and decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Experience building, launching, or scaling operations.

Responsibilities

Lead plant operations across production, maintenance, quality, and warehouse, supporting a team of approximately 30 employees initially.
Build and lead a high-performing team and maintain a safe work environment with clear accountability for safety.
Drive daily execution with urgency, accountability, and operational discipline.
Ensure food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, including OSHA, FDA, PMO, BRC, GMP, and dairy regulations.
Manage plant performance, including labor, site budget, materials, and cost control.
Establish systems that combine craftsmanship with practical, data-driven decision-making.
Develop leaders through training, coaching, feedback, and clear expectations.
Oversee key vendors and service providers.
Maintain strong communication across plant operations and corporate teams.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and consistency.
Build a culture of ownership, integrity, and pride in the work.