Plant Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Plant Manager – Food Manufacturing Operations

Clarkton, NC

Overview

iBoost Talent is seeking a highly engaged, hands-on Plant Manager to support a well-established food manufacturing operation in Clarkton, NC. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of daily plant performance, including production, food safety, quality assurance, maintenance coordination, and warehouse logistics.

The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is committed to driving efficiency, maintaining compliance standards, and building a strong team culture focused on accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily plant operations to ensure production targets are consistently achieved across quality, safety, output, and efficiency standards
• Coordinate short- and long-range production planning in partnership with operations leadership and scheduling teams
• Lead and support department supervisors across production, quality, maintenance, and warehouse functions to ensure alignment and communication
• Maintain a strong safety-first culture while ensuring compliance with OSHA standards and food safety regulations including GMP, HACCP, and SQF
• Track and analyze operational KPIs such as yield, downtime, waste, throughput, and labor efficiency to identify improvement opportunities
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing productivity, reducing waste, and optimizing operational workflows
• Oversee maintenance planning efforts and collaborate with maintenance leadership to prioritize repairs and preventive maintenance schedules
• Ensure proper training, development, and engagement of employees across all departments
• Partner closely with quality assurance leadership to uphold product consistency and compliance standards
• Participate in daily operational meetings to review performance, resolve issues, and align on production goals
• Manage operational budgets, monitor spending, and support cost control initiatives
• Support HR and safety teams with policy enforcement, employee relations, and regulatory compliance
• Maintain accurate operational documentation, including production reports, safety logs, and compliance records
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits as needed
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement across all plant functions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management, Manufacturing, Food Science, or related discipline preferred (equivalent experience considered)
• 5–7+ years of experience in food manufacturing, agricultural processing, or related production environments
• At least 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a plant or manufacturing setting
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, workflow optimization, and operational performance management
• Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, SQF, and other food safety and compliance standards
• Proven leadership ability with strong communication, coaching, and team development skills
• Experience analyzing KPIs and driving data-informed operational improvements
• Familiarity with maintenance coordination and production equipment operations
• Comfortable managing budgets and controlling operational costs
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools; ERP or manufacturing systems experience preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus