Plant Manager

Universal Corporation•Lancaster Township, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Manager leads and oversees a food and beverage manufacturing facility specializing in aseptic processing coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products. This role requires strong technical processing expertise and 12–15 years of experience in aseptic food and beverage operations. The Plant Manager is responsible for safe, high-quality, compliant, and efficient production, while driving continuous improvement, cost control, and operational excellence. As a strategic leader, the role focuses on improving processes, ensuring strong operational performance, delivering excellent customer service, and building a positive culture that develops employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations or supply chain, chemical engineering highly preferred.
12–15 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing.
5–7 years of senior plant or operations leadership experience.
Hands-on experience with coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in the high-speed manufacturing industry is preferred
In-depth knowledge of production management, operations, risk management, and food safety regulations is strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of UHT, aseptic filling, and hygienic design.
Experience with allergen control and nutritional formulations.
Lean / Six Sigma / TPM certification preferred.
Excellent leadership, communication, and business acumen.
Proven experience as an operations change agent within a manufacturing facility.
An enthusiastic leader displaying a passion for the product and for the continuous improvement of our manufacturing processes.
Strong, executive leadership skills, exhibiting decisiveness and execution skills, yet capable of effective listening, and when needed, able to compromise.
Coaching and people skills that embrace the value and challenges of a diverse management team and work force and personally driven to lead the team to realize their full potential.
A genuine respect for the lives and accomplishments of employees.

Responsibilities

Lead all plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant aseptic manufacturing.
Provide technical leadership for UHT/HTST processing, aseptic filling, CIP/SIP, contamination control, and hygienic design.
Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FDA, FSMA, FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP).
Serve as site leader for regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and customer audits.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, yield, OEE, and cost performance.
Lead and develop cross-functional teams across production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and EHS.
Oversee process validation, aseptic qualifications, shelf-life studies, and new product introductions.
Manage allergen control programs in a multi-product aseptic environment.
Own plant P&L, budgets, operating costs, and capital investments.
Lead capital projects including aseptic line expansions, equipment upgrades, and technology implementation.
Champion EHS programs and foster a strong safety and food safety culture.
Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams to support growth in coffee, tea, juice, plant-based, acidified dairy, and nutritional products.
Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and long-term operational excellence.