Plant Director

Position Summary

Our high-growth CPG beverage (aseptic) client is seeking a Plant Director to join their team in Bakersfield, CA. Full-time onsite. Relocation assistance is available.
MUST BRING ASEPTIC EXPERIENCE

The Plant Director provides both strategic and day-to-day leadership for manufacturing operations at a large production facility. This role is accountable for overall plant performance and for achieving short- and long-term objectives related to safety, quality, service, cost control, efficiency, equipment reliability, and material utilization.

• Define operational goals, performance metrics, and execution strategies; lead teams to consistently achieve targets.
• Cascade objectives and expectations throughout the plant leadership structure.
• Foster strong collaboration across the plant leadership team to ensure coordinated execution and aligned decision-making.
• Partner cross-functionally to build an inclusive, high-trust culture that supports business objectives, working closely with areas such as quality, supply chain, finance, IT, R&D, human resources, and commercial teams.
• Champion a proactive safety culture focused on prevention and continuous risk reduction.
• Create an environment where employees are engaged, empowered, and encouraged to share ideas and feedback.
• Ensure frontline teams understand key performance indicators and receive ongoing communication regarding plant results.
• Own operational financial performance and drive continuous cost improvement initiatives to reduce unit costs.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, effective risk management, and robust business continuity planning.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance processes, work methods, and overall operational effectiveness.
• Recruit, develop, and retain strong management and operations talent through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Ensure each department is appropriately staffed and that all roles are fully trained to support safe, reliable operations.
• Contribute to annual operating plans and lead communication, execution, and follow-through of approved initiatives.
• Build leadership capability to support efficient production execution and effective staffing of production and support equipment.
• Collaborate with product development teams to align product design and specifications with efficient manufacturing processes.
• Promote and uphold an effective quality management system across all operations.

• Models strong values-based leadership and demonstrates accountability, collaboration, and purpose-driven decision making.
• Builds trust-based relationships with employees and customers through clear, authentic, and inspiring communication.
• Communicates vision and priorities effectively, provides candid feedback, and positively influences others.
• Continuously seeks learning opportunities, approaches challenges with curiosity and resilience, and focuses energy on high-impact priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in manufacturing environments; food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods preferred.
• Proven P&L ownership with strong financial and analytical acumen.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate opportunities and risks effectively.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and managing complex operations.
• Deep experience in labor management, talent development, and building high-performing organizations.
• Decisive yet collaborative leadership style with the ability to drive results across multiple organizational levels.
• Hands-on operational leader with a track record of sound, timely decision-making.

Director

Full-time

Manufacturing, Production, and Project Management

Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Retail, and Wholesale Food and Beverage

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)