POSITION SUMMARY:The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operational leadership, safety, quality, financial performance, and continuous improvement of one manufacturing facility producing extruded and agglomerated food. Provides both short-term tactical plans and long term strategic plans to the various business groups represented at the sites. This role ensures the facility operates efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and food safety standards, while aligning operations with corporate strategy and growth objectives. The position is located in Albert Lea, MN.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience managing complex, regulated manufacturing environments, leading diverse leadership teams, and driving performance across multiple departments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSOperational & Strategic Leadership
- Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple business and plants, ensuring consistent performance, operational discipline, and delivery of customer commitments.
- Communicate, develop and execute site-level strategies aligned with business goals for production, quality, cost, and service
- Provide detailed communication, with strategic and hands-on leadership for multiple departments, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations
- Establish standardized operating practices, performance metrics, and governance across the facility
- Ensure production plans meet customer demand while optimizing throughput, yield, and asset utilization
Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
- Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and chemical process safety (PSM) requirements
- Oversee process safety, materials handling, dust control, waste management, and environmental stewardship programs
- Lead audits, inspections, and corrective action plans related to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance
- Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety policies and procedures, conducting regular safety audits, and promoting a culture of safety awareness among employees
Leadership & Talent Development
- Directly lead site leadership teams, through daily example
- Build strong leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and succession planning
- Foster collaboration and alignment across Operations, EHS, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and HR
- Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
Maintenance, Reliability & Engineering
- Oversee asset reliability, preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
- Ensure effective management of aging assets, preventive maintenance programs, and spare parts strategies
- Partner with Engineering on plant upgrades, expansions, debottlenecking, and automation projects
Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership
- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives across site
- Drive standardization of systems, processes, and reporting
- Operational efficiencies to utilize staff in a cost effective way
- Lead change management initiatives to support growth and transformation
- Ensure learning from gaps quality and customer performance are institutionalized in plant processes and practices.
Financial & Business Performance
- Drive productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives without compromising safety or quality
- Support strategic initiatives such as plant expansions, new product introductions, and process optimization
REQUIREMENTS:Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, Manufacturing, or related field
Experience
- 5-10+ years of progressive manufacturing or processing leadership experience
- Experience leading in food regulated environments with strong safety initiatives
- Demonstrated success managing multiple complex manufacturing departments
Knowledge & Skills
- Deep understanding of employee and food safety, quality systems, nutrient production, and regulatory requirements
- Proven financial and operational acumen, including cost management
- Experience with asset-intensive operations, R&D production coordination, and reliability-focused maintenance strategies
- Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills
The expected salary range for this position is $160,000 - $180,0000 per year.
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