Plant Manager

Boutique Recruiting

$145K — $180K *
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, particularly in plant management or senior operations roles.
  • Solid grasp of USDA and FDA regulations with a focus on food safety and quality management systems.
  • Demonstrated experience managing high-volume food production operations producing 500,000+ units per week.
  • Skilled in overseeing multi-shift operations, managing at least five direct reports and teams over 70 employees.
  • Experienced with budget management including P&L performance and capital projects.
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a relevant field preferred, but suitable experience may compensate for formal education.
  • Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, especially under pressure.

Responsibilities

  • Lead all operations including production, packaging, maintenance, quality assurance, and logistics within the plant.
  • Develop, coach, and maintain a high-performing leadership team with established accountability and operational expectations.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety and workplace regulations such as SQF, HACCP, GMP, FDA, and USDA.
  • Create and manage operating plans, budgets, and production targets, holding responsibility for the plant's profitability.
  • Initiate continuous improvement programs aimed at increasing throughput and reducing waste.
  • Oversee maintenance, reliability, sanitation, pest control, and environmental monitoring initiatives.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership, customers, and regulatory agencies, reporting on performance and risk opportunities.

Benefits

  • Performance-based bonus potential linked to individual and plant performance.
  • Medical coverage with 75% of premiums covered by the company and availability of HSA.
  • 401(k) eligibility after just 60 days, with annual profit-sharing contributions.
  • PTO, vacation benefits, and 6 paid holidays annually.
  • Relocation assistance including moving expenses and approximately $5,000 towards additional costs.
Full Job Description
Position Title: Plant Manager

Salary Range: $145,000-$180,000 / Year, DOE + Performance Bonus

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the launch and ongoing operations of a growing food manufacturing facility in West Burlington, Iowa. This leader will oversee production, packaging, maintenance, quality, sanitation, warehouse, and administrative functions while establishing the systems, teams, and operating standards needed to deliver safe, efficient, and profitable production at scale. The ideal candidate is a hands-on food manufacturing leader who knows how to run a high-volume regulated operation, develop strong teams, and solve complex problems without losing sight of safety, quality or the bottom line.

Responsibilities
  • Lead all plant operations including production, packaging, maintenance, quality assurance, sanitation, warehouse, logistics and site administration
  • Build, coach and develop a high-performing leadership team while establishing accountability, succession planning and clear operational expectations
  • Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA and applicable workplace safety and regulatory requirements
  • Develop and manage operating plans, budgets, capital expenditures, labor costs and production targets with accountability for plant profitability
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput, reduce waste, improve equipment effectiveness and strengthen overall plant performance
  • Oversee maintenance, reliability, sanitation, pest control, allergen management and environmental monitoring programs
  • Partner with senior leadership, customers, suppliers, auditors and regulatory agencies while reporting on plant performance, risks and opportunities

Requirements
  • 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing with significant plant management or senior operations leadership experience
  • Strong working knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations, food safety requirements, and quality management systems
  • Experience leading high-volume food production operations producing 500,000+ pieces per week
  • Proven ability to manage multi-shift operations, at least five direct supervisory reports and teams of 70+ employees
  • Experience managing budgets, P&L performance, capital projects, labor, production costs and operational KPIs
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business or a related field preferred, with relevant experience considered
  • Strong leadership, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure

Benefits
  • Performance-based bonus potential tied to individual, plant and company results
  • Medical coverage with 75% of the premium paid by the company and HSA availability
  • 401(k) eligibility after 60 days plus an annual profit-sharing contribution
  • PTO and vacation benefits & 6 paid holidays
  • Relocation assistance including moving-company expenses plus approximately $5,000 toward additional relocation costs

If you know how to build teams, optimize operations and lead a food manufacturing facility with equal parts discipline and ingenuity, apply today and take ownership of an operation built for growth.

#LI-MB1 #LI-MC1

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