Plant Manager

Reports to:

Vice President of Operations

Direct Reports: 5

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the production facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing across all production areas. This role is accountable for productivity, capacity planning, cost control, people leadership, and regulatory compliance, while driving continuous improvement and supporting change management initiatives. The Plant Manager will play a key role in mentoring leaders and developing a high-performing operations team.

• Oversee all daily plant operations to ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery commitments are consistently met
• Manage production planning, scheduling, and capacity utilization to support business demand
• Ensure efficient use of labor, equipment, and materials to optimize productivity and throughput

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of direct reports and frontline supervisors
• Build a positive, accountable, and performance‑driven culture within the plant
• Support talent development, succession planning, and ongoing training initiatives
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost reduction, waste elimination, and process optimization
• Lead and support change management initiatives related to systems, processes, equipment, and organizational improvements
• Promote Lean, CI, or similar methodologies to improve operational performance
• Manage the plant operating budget and monitor cost performance
• Analyze labor, production, and food cost variances and implement corrective actions
• Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining quality and safety standards

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, health & safety, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain high standards for GMPs, sanitation, and audit readiness

• Production output, volume, and schedule adherence
• Capacity utilization and labor efficiency
• Budget performance and cost variances
• Safety performance and incident reduction
• Quality metrics and audit results
• Overall productivity and operational efficiency

• Minimum of 5 years of management experience within the food manufacturing industry
• Proven experience managing operations in a small to mid‑sized production facility
• Strong background in people leadership, team development, and performance management
• Demonstrated experience with continuous improvement and change management initiatives
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and manufacturing best practices
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Data‑driven decision‑making and KPI management
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills
• Ability to balance operational demands with long‑term improvement initiatives
• Hands‑on, adaptable leadership style suited to a growing organization