Plant Director

Key Details Reports to: VP of Operations Travel Requirement: Up to 20% FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Category: Full‑Time Regular Pay Range: $190k - $210k Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA About Generous Brands Generous Brands is dedicated to inspiring people to thrive through vibrant nutrition through its leading brands, Bolthouse Farms, Health‑Ade, Evolution Fresh, and SAMBAZON. The company operates its North American business from facilities in Southern California and the Greater Chicago Area. For more information, visit What You’ll Be Responsible For In This Role The Plant Director provides full strategic and operational leadership for Evolution Fresh’s Rancho Cucamonga manufacturing facility, accountable for delivering world‑class performance across safety, quality, service, cost, sustainability, and culture. Job Duties Safety & Regulatory Compliance Champion a zero‑incident safety culture with visible leadership and accountability at all levels. Ensure full compliance with OSHA, FDA, state, and local regulatory requirements. Drive proactive risk identification and continuous safety system improvement. Food Safety, Quality & Audit Excellence Maintain and continuously improve the site’s BRC AA+ certification. Lead audit readiness for BRC, Organic, regulatory, and customer audits. Drive a culture where food safety and quality are non‑negotiable and embedded in daily operations. Continuously reduce consumer complaints, holds, and quality losses through disciplined root‑cause analysis and prevention systems. Operational Performance & Efficiency Own and deliver plant performance across OEE, throughput, yield, labor efficiency, scrap, cost‑per‑gallon, and service metrics. Drive aggressive cost savings initiatives, productivity improvements, and waste reduction efforts. Challenge legacy processes and organizational norms to unlock new levels of efficiency and performance. Lead structured problem‑solving to eliminate chronic losses and improve asset reliability. Align production plans with demand while minimizing overtime and cost variability. Continuous Improvement & Cost Leadership Lead and mature CI systems including daily operational meetings, visual management, standard work, layered process audits, and root‑cause problem‑solving. Deliver year‑over‑year productivity and cost improvement targets aligned with EBITDA commitments. Identify automation, process redesign, and capital opportunities that drive long‑term structural cost advantage. Create a culture that expects continuous improvement rather than incremental maintenance of the status quo. Sustainability & TRUE Zero Leadership Lead and sustain the site’s TRUE Zero Waste certification. Integrate sustainability into daily decision‑making, capital planning, and team engagement. Drive continuous improvement in waste reduction, energy efficiency, water stewardship, and environmental compliance. Reinforce sustainability as a shared responsibility across all functions. Financial Stewardship Own full plant P&L performance and annual operating plan commitments. Manage operating budgets, capital planning, and cost controls with strong financial rigor. Drive disciplined labor planning, inventory management, and working capital optimization. Ensure financial decisions are supported by strong data analytics and operational insights. People, Culture & Great Place to Work Maintain and strengthen the site’s Great Place to Work culture through leadership visibility, engagement, and accountability. Champion a Culture of Excellence that balances high performance with respect, development, and recognition. Build and develop a strong leadership bench with clear succession plans. Foster cross‑functional collaboration and ownership at all levels. Model Generous Brands values in all interactions and decisions. Drive employee engagement scores upward year over year through action‑oriented follow‑through. Strategic Alignment & Change Leadership Translate corporate strategy into executable site‑level roadmaps. Lead change initiatives effectively across operations, engineering, and support functions. Act as a key voice in network strategy, capacity planning, and capital allocation decisions. Communicate transparently and align teams during periods of transformation. Leadership Expectations Challenge complacency and drive disciplined execution. Demonstrate strong financial acumen and operational analytics capability. Maintain a visible, floor‑based leadership presence. Make tough decisions with clarity and integrity. Balance urgency with long‑term strategic thinking. Hold teams accountable for measurable results. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field. 10+ years of progressive leadership in food & beverage manufacturing. 5+ years in a senior plant leadership role (Plant Manager or Director). Demonstrated experience maintaining BRC/SQF certification at the highest level. Strong working knowledge of BRC/SQF systems and regulatory food safety standards. Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and structured problem‑solving methodologies. Proven track record of delivering cost savings, productivity improvements, and EBITDA growth. Experience leading sustainability initiatives and waste reduction programs. Additional Required Qualifications Mechanical/Technical aptitude to troubleshoot minor equipment failures and make minor adjustments. Math skills combined with the ability to perform and understand scientific‑based tests and results. Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel. Effective communication and interaction skills within laboratory and manufacturing environments. Ability to work over 40 hours, weekends, and flexible hours when business need arises. Ability to work with minimal supervision, applying common sense of Good Laboratory Practices. Preferred Qualifications Experience in refrigerated beverage manufacturing, HPP, cold‑fill, or aseptic processing. Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt). Experience leading TRUE Zero or equivalent sustainability programs. Demonstrated success driving Great Place to Work or high‑engagement culture initiatives. Experience managing large and complex workforce. Physical Demands & Environmental Hazards Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods. Must be able to work in environmental exposure including freezer and noisy, cold, wet, or humid conditions of 34°F or below. Occasional exposure to fumes, airborne particles, toxic and/or caustic chemicals. Occasional material exposure to moving mechanical parts and equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks). Benefits Medical, Dental & Vision Group Life and AD&D Voluntary Life and AD&D Group Short & Long‑Term Disability 401(k) Paid Time Off Flexible Spending Accounts Employee Assistance Program Gym Membership Discounts Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse organization. We encourage applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status. Reasonable Accommodations Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. If you need special assistance to apply for this role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at View email address on click.appcast.io. Recruitment Agencies Generous Brands does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. We are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Working hours: 1st shift (8:00 am‑5:00 pm) Monday‑Friday, with work across 2nd and 3rd shifts when required. #J-18808-Ljbffr