Job DescriptionPlant Manager - Kalamazoo, MIThis is an Exempt Level Position
Position Summary: The Plant Manager directs and coordinates the daily activities of production, shipping and receiving, maintenance coordination, and facility operations within a food/flavor/ingredients manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and cost-effective operations while meeting production schedules, quality specifications, food safety standards, customer expectations, and business objectives.
This position leads teams directly and through subordinate supervisors, supports capital and expense projects, drives continuous improvement, and promotes a strong culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and employee development. The position includes oversight of warehouse operations and personnel at the Goldendale, WA location
Job Responsibilities- Lead, participate in, and support ongoing safety initiatives, including value-based safety efforts.
- Direct and coordinate daily facility operations, including production, shipping and receiving, inventory, quality control, food safety, labor relations, sustainability, environmental compliance, and cost optimization.
- Lead project work, including maintenance activities and capital and expense projects/AFEs, with responsibility for budget and timing.
- Review production orders and schedules to determine product types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates.
- Plan production operations by establishing priorities and manufacturing sequences.
- Prepare operational schedules and coordinate manufacturing activities to ensure products meet production and quality specifications.
- Plan and supervise shipping and receiving operations to meet company requirements and customer expectations.
- Review production and operating reports and resolve operational, manufacturing, and maintenance issues to minimize costs and prevent delays.
- Inspect machines and equipment to ensure proper operational performance and optimum utilization.
- Develop or revise standard operating procedures and work practices; observe employees to ensure compliance with standards.
- Compile, store, and retrieve production data.
- Perform or oversee specialty blending as required.
- Participate in safety committees and food safety teams.
- Maintain a strong understanding of operations, rules, regulations, and company policies, and communicate requirements effectively to the plant workforce.
- Manage performance development for all employees under direct leadership.
- Promote teamwork and effective communication across production, quality, maintenance, engineering, R&D, inventory, shipping and receiving, and other support groups.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships while supporting employee growth and engagement.
- Assess business and financial risk and use sound judgment in operational decision-making.
- Support achievement of division and facility goals in a fast-paced, high-risk manufacturing environment.
- Ensure compliance with corporate ethics policies, safety programs, GMP, hazardous materials handling, and workplace standards.
Job Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, Manufacturing, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience in food, flavor, ingredients, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or a related industrial environment.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Supervisory experience in operations and production within the food and beverage industry is preferred.
- Proven ability to manage effectively in a team-based work environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership, motivational, and employee-development skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across departments and teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Project management skills, including ability to develop plans, coordinate work, communicate progress, and complete projects on time and within budget.
- Ability to assess business and financial risk and exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to work successfully in a high-risk, fast-paced, results-driven environment.
- Strong business acumen with an understanding of profitability, operational impact, and strategic goals.
- Commitment to corporate ethics policies, safety programs, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to be trained on ERP systems.
- Ability to read, interpret, analyze, and communicate production data, operating reports, schedules, and written procedures.
- Must complete required training in Manufacturing Safety, Handling Hazardous Materials, GMP, and Workplace Harassment.
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
REF:110647BR
Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.
If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
The pay range for this position is expected to be between:
