THE COMPANY

Our client is a rapidly growing private equity backed food provider.

THE POSITION

The Plant Manager position is an operations leader in the manufacturing facility producing the flagship consumer-branded product along with other product lines. This person is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and managing all production, labor, equipment, maintenance and inventory management activities of the facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct, coordinate and manage all daily production activities of the facility.
• Collaborate cross functionally to ensure timely customer order fulfillment and logistics with a focus on quality.
• Responsible for all direct labor planning, management and optimization.
• Oversee procurement on purchasing raw materials, supply chain and inventory management.
• Provide thought leadership around continuous improvement initiatives including efficiency, cost reduction and automation opportunities.
• Oversee preventative equipment maintenance program and help coordinate with vendors.
• Lead equipment, space and capital planning for the facility.
• Responsible for managing and driving monthly key performance indicators, including volume targets; customer attainment; labor efficiency; safety; and inventory turnover targets.
• Oversee and assist with food safety, facility safety, HACCP/SQF/GFCO/OSHA compliance and facility sanitation.
• Assist in new product development.
• Contributing member to the senior management team.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing or business (or equivalent); master’s preferred.
• Twelve-plus years of progressive manufacturing experience that includes at least five years leading an operations team. Experience in food manufacturing and / or a regulated environment is preferred but not required.
• Strong grasp of Lean tools and concepts with practical experience implementing Lean manufacturing. Proven track record driving strategic change, productivity and operational excellence in processes that improve efficiencies and / or provide cost savings.
• Quantitative data-driven mindset; adept at managing and solving challenges.
• Strong leadership skills with a can-do mentality. Leads by personal example and acts like an owner rather than an employee.
• Change agent with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.