Plant Manager

Job Summary

My client, a leading dairy ingredient company, is seeking a hands-on, strategic Plant Manager to drive operational excellence and long-term growth within its production facility. This executive role blends strategic vision with practical, floor-level leadership to ensure world-class standards in safety, product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and overall plant performance. The Plant Manager provides empowering leadership that develops talent, builds accountability, and fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. With responsibility for people development, facility investment, and budget execution, this role is pivotal in advancing efficiency, productivity, and profitability. By working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Plant Manager will shape operational strategy while remaining deeply engaged with daily operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Define and implement the strategic direction of the facility, aligning operational objectives with broader business goals.

• Lead budget planning, cost management, and capital investment to maximize plant efficiency and profitability.

• Oversee daily operations with a hands-on approach while driving world-class performance in safety, quality, and compliance.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that eliminate waste, optimize resources, and enhance productivity.

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards, including food safety and environmental requirements.

• Provide empowering, visible leadership that motivates teams, builds accountability, and fosters collaboration and innovation.

• Partner with HR to recruit, develop, and retain top talent while shaping a high-performance workforce.

• Coach and mentor employees to build leadership strength and succession capability throughout the organization.

• Partner with cross-functional teams, including quality, R&D, and product management, to support growth and new product initiatives.

• Build strong relationships across the workforce, driving open communication and employee engagement.

• Champion initiatives that strengthen the facility's long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proven track record of transformational leadership in a manufacturing or food/dairy environment.

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate vision into actionable results.

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.

• Skilled in building accountability, motivating teams, and developing talent.

• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, control costs, and deliver financial results.

• Expertise in regulatory compliance, food safety systems (HACCP, BRC), and operational excellence.

• High emotional intelligence with a collaborative, empowering leadership style.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and business reporting tools.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a bias for action and continuous improvement.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field OR 5+ years of plant/general management experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within dairy production.

• 5+ years of proven success engaging employees and building a strong safety culture.

• Experience in budget management, cost control, and operational financial accountability.

• In-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations relating to dairy production.

• Experience applying HACCP and food safety systems within a dairy manufacturing facility.

• Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and managing a high-performing workforce.