ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:
The Plant Manager leads and oversees a food and beverage manufacturing facility specializing in aseptic processing coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products. This role requires strong technical processing expertise and 12-15 years of experience in aseptic food and beverage operations. The Plant Manager is responsible for safe, high-quality, compliant, and efficient production, while driving continuous improvement, cost control, and operational excellence. As a strategic leader, the role focuses on improving processes, ensuring strong operational performance, delivering excellent customer service, and building a positive culture that develops employees.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Lead all plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant aseptic manufacturing.
- Provide technical leadership for UHT/HTST processing, aseptic filling, CIP/SIP, contamination control, and hygienic design.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FDA, FSMA, FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP).
- Serve as site leader for regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and customer audits.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, yield, OEE, and cost performance.
- Lead and develop cross-functional teams across production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and EHS.
- Oversee process validation, aseptic qualifications, shelf-life studies, and new product introductions.
- Manage allergen control programs in a multi-product aseptic environment.
- Own plant P&L, budgets, operating costs, and capital investments.
- Lead capital projects including aseptic line expansions, equipment upgrades, and technology implementation.
- Champion EHS programs and foster a strong safety and food safety culture.
- Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams to support growth in coffee, tea, juice, plant-based, acidified dairy, and nutritional products.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and long-term operational excellence.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations or supply chain, chemical engineering highly preferred.
- 12-15 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing.
- 5-7 years of senior plant or operations leadership experience.
- Prior experience in the high-speed manufacturing industry is preferred
- In-depth knowledge of production management, operations, risk management, and food safety regulations is strongly preferred.
- Hands-on experience with coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products.
PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS- Strong understanding of UHT, aseptic filling, and hygienic design.
- Experience with allergen control and nutritional formulations.
- Lean / Six Sigma / TPM certification preferred.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and business acumen.
- Proven experience as an operations change agent within a manufacturing facility.
PERSONAL TRAITS- An enthusiastic leader displaying a passion for the product and for the continuous improvement of our manufacturing processes.
- Strong, executive leadership skills, exhibiting decisiveness and execution skills, yet capable of effective listening, and when needed, able to compromise.
- Coaching and people skills that embrace the value and challenges of a diverse management team and work force and personally driven to lead the team to realize their full potential.
- A genuine respect for the lives and accomplishments of employees.
