Senior Plant Manager 3601846

Our client is a well-established international food manufacturing company with a strong global presence and a rapidly growing footprint in the United States. The organization combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a fast-paced, highly operational environment focused on quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. This is not a traditional corporate structure. Leadership is deeply involved in day-to-day operations, priorities may shift quickly, and successful individuals are those who thrive in ambiguity while maintaining strong ownership, accountability, and operational discipline. The company strongly values: Stability and long-term commitment Adaptability and flexibility Initiative and ownership mentality Direct communication and transparency Humility and hands-on leadership style Position Overview We are seeking a highly operational and hands-on Sr. Plant Manager to lead multiple manufacturing operations and oversee the full production organization within a complex food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across production, safety, quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and organizational development . The Sr. Plant Manager will serve as a key operational leader, ensuring alignment between manufacturing operations and overall business objectives while maintaining a strong presence on the production floor. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both strategic thinking and daily operational execution. Key Responsibilities Operations Leadership Lead day-to-day operations across multiple manufacturing facilities within a fast-paced food production environment Maintain a highly visible presence on the production floor and actively support daily operational execution Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to production leadership teams Ensure production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with business needs Drive accountability and operational discipline across all levels of manufacturing operations Support organizational development and succession planning within the operations team Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Lead and promote Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, and operational performance Drive Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, TPM, RCA, CAPA, and CI methodologies throughout the organization Analyze operational processes and identify opportunities for optimization across production lines and manufacturing systems Establish and monitor operational KPIs, implementing corrective actions when necessary Support implementation of operational improvements, process standardization, and efficiency initiatives Safety, Quality & Compliance Champion a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational ownership Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and internal food safety standards Partner closely with Quality, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to support operational excellence Lead operational response and follow-up related to safety, quality, and compliance issues Ensure manufacturing operations consistently meet quality standards and customer expectations Financial & Strategic Responsibilities Manage plant operating budgets and support capital expenditure planning Participate in long-range operational planning and future manufacturing expansion initiatives Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining operational performance and product quality Support operational strategies focused on profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, HR, and Executive Leadership teams Support new product introductions and operational readiness initiatives Participate in operational meetings and leadership reviews as required Foster strong communication and alignment across departments Qualifications & Experience 10+ years of leadership experience within food manufacturing operations Strong background managing large-scale production environments with multiple production lines Experience within complex manufacturing environments involving operational variability, multiple SKUs, and fast-paced production Fresh food manufacturing experience strongly preferred Proven experience driving Continuous Improvement and operational efficiency initiatives Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, TPM, RCA, CAPA, and CI methodologies Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop people, and build operational structure Strong understanding of OSHA, FDA, USDA, GMP, and HACCP regulations Experience managing plant operations within highly operational and hands-on manufacturing cultures Exposure to capital projects , operational planning, and manufacturing expansion initiatives preferred Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Operations Management, Food Science, Engineering, or related field preferred Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing-related systems/applications Ability to work flexible hours when operationally required Hands-on, shop floor-oriented leadership Strong operational presence and accountability Ability to balance strategy and execution Problem-solving and decision-making skills Adaptability in fast-paced environments Strong communication and team development abilities Ability to drive change and operational efficiency Preferred Qualifications International or multi-site manufacturing organizations Exposure to high-volume food production environments Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification preferred Compensation Full Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Match, PTO) #J-18808-Ljbffr Wetalentia