Plant Manager
Our client, a leading manufacturing and retailer in the food and beverage manufacturing space, is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all aspects of operations at a dairy manufacturing facility. This individual will be responsible for driving site performance across safety, quality, production, maintenance, continuous improvement, and employee engagement while developing a high-performing leadership team. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in dairy manufacturing (preferably fluid dairy), demonstrated people leadership experience, and a track record of implementing TPM and operational excellence initiatives within a manufacturing environment. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance day-to-day execution with long-term strategic planning.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide overall leadership for plant operations, including production, quality, engineering, maintenance, HR, and continuous improvement functions.
- Develop, coach, and mentor plant leadership while building a culture of accountability, engagement, and performance.
- Drive results across safety, quality, productivity, cost, customer service, and employee development metrics.
- Champion TPM, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reliability.
- Lead annual operating plans, capital projects, and budget management efforts.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor plant performance through KPIs and implement corrective actions to achieve targeted business results.
- Partner with senior leadership to execute strategic initiatives and support long-term business objectives.
- Foster strong relationships with employees, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
- Promote a culture focused on operational excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations, or relevant field required.
- 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
- 4+ years of experience leading teams (75+ employees) in a dairy manufacturing environment.
- TPM, Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement leadership experience.
- Strong understanding of plant operations, quality systems, food safety, maintenance, and supply chain processes.
- Proven leadership and talent development capabilities.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and operational performance.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Union manufacturing experience is a plus.
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