Plant Manager

Lucas James Talent Partners•East Chicago, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations in a high-volume food manufacturing facility specializing in frozen ingredients. This role ensures efficient production while maintaining safety, quality, cost, and efficiency standards. The Production Manager leads a team of supervisors and production staff to drive continuous improvement, automation integration, and operational excellence in alignment with company goals. This role reports directly to the VP of Operations and serves as a key leader in executing company-wide operational strategy, driving plant performance, and contributing to long-term growth initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in food science, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field/experience.
5+ years of production management experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably in frozen food.
Experience managing high-volume, automated food production lines.
Demonstrated experience in leading teams, improving efficiency, and implementing process improvements.
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred; ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with English- and Spanish-speaking employees, customers, and/or vendors.
Strong knowledge of IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) food processing and packaging.
Must have Vertical Form Fill and Seal knowledge, horizontal bagging, and other packaging systems knowledge.
Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) preferred.
Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement.
Proficient in ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge of regulatory compliance, food safety programs, and OSHA safety standards.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish
Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of quality products, schedule adherence, and execution to meet customer demand and business goals
Ensure efficiency, waste reduction, and cost control in production processes
Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement strategies
Maintain compliance with food safety (FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF), regulatory, and company standards
Collaborate with maintenance teams to ensure optimal equipment performance and uptime
Drive automation adoption and process optimization for increased productivity
Operations liaison in the commercialization process
Partner with the VP of Operations to develop and execute plant and network-level strategies
Ensure full compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and all regulatory requirements
Champion a food safety culture and ensure adherence to all FSQA programs
Partner with Quality to ensure product integrity, audit readiness, and customer satisfaction
Support and external audits and ensure timely corrective actions
Oversee sanitation effectiveness and compliance in a frozen food environment
Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Ensure adequate staffing levels, training, and skill development to meet production goals
Conduct performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and employee development plans
Promote a safety-first culture, ensuring adherence to OSHA and company safety policies
Develop talent through coaching, training, succession planning
Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety policies
Reduce workplace incidents through proactive safety programs and training
Oversee environmental compliance related to waste, water, and refrigeration systems
Translate executive-level goals into clear plant-level execution plans
Establish and monitor KPIs (OEE, yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, waste, etc.)
Analyze performance data to identify gaps and implement corrective actions
Lead plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives and cost reduction programs
Drive operational discipline through standard work and accountability systems
Regularly review plant performance with the VP of Operations, including KPIs, financial results, and improvement plans
Manage plant budgets, including labor, materials, and operating expenses.
Monitor cost performance and implement cost-saving initiatives.
Collaborate with senior leadership on capital expenditure planning