Agricultural Operations / Plant Manager

Hawaiian Host Group; Captain Cook (HI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawaiian Host Group is seeking a Plant Manager for their Kapua Orchards facility in Captain Cook, Hawaii. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of macadamia nut processing and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while leading a diverse team.

The ideal candidate will have over ten years of experience in operations management within food processing, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in continuous improvement methodologies. Join us in maximizing our plant's productivity and maintaining high-quality standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of experience in production, manufacturing, and operations management.
• Minimum of five to seven years of general management experience in a plant.
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all stages of macadamia nut processing.
• Lead production, sanitation, maintenance, warehousing, and scheduling functions.
• Monitor overall plant performance while ensuring quality standards.

Skills

Strong People Leadership

Problem-Solving

Ability to Coach and Lead Change

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

CMMS

Optical Sorter Technology

Lean Manufacturing

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the General Manager of Ag Operations at our Kapua Orchards facility in South Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, the Plant Manager oversees and supervises daily processing and plant operations. All of the product grown and processed at this facility are used in our Mauna Loa and Hawaiian Host products, two of Hawaii’s largest retail brands sold and distributed across the U.S. and Asia. This role is accountable for human safety excellence, product quality, food safety protocols, production efficiency, high kernel recovery, cost management, maintenance, maintenance reliability, supplier accountability, warehousing, continuous improvement and overall plant performance driving improved yield and throughput. The Plant Manager role is a hands‑on job and works closely with front line employees, leads by example, and works closely with cross‑functional partners to ensure company targets are achieved.

Essential Functions

• Oversee all stages of the macadamia nut processing flow: WIS receiving, drying, cracking, optical sorting, pasteurizing, roasting, manual sorting, and sizing.
• Leading all Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehousing, and Scheduling functions and managers at the site and working closely with the site Orchard Manager and site FSQA Manager while reporting to the site GM.
• Key Leadership Competencies: Strong People Leadership, Ability to Coach and Lead Change (in a challenging environment), Highly Adaptable to New Cultures, Strong Problem‑Solving Capability, Ability to Motivate and Inspire, and Ability to Hold Teams and Individuals Accountable to goals and business targets.
• Key Technical Experience and Competencies: Agricultural Plant Processing Management (Macadamia Nut Processing highly preferred), Optical Sorter Technology, Optimizing Manual Sorting, Labor Scheduling/Efficiency, Strong Maintenance/Engineering Experience (driving low downtime/high efficiency/high yield).
• Direct and manage all plant activities and goals, including but not limited to, execution of safety and quality programs (FDA, FSMA, HACCP, etc.), regulatory compliance, personnel development, training, production planning, scheduling, cost control, inventory control and FIFO management, and facilities and equipment repair and maintenance.
• Promote a safe, positive and inclusive workplace culture consistent with Hawaiian Host Group values of being United, Persevering, encouraging Bold ideas for improvement and Taking Initiative. The Plant Manager leads with integrity, respect, and servant leadership.
• Experience in running a Maintenance Department, including use of a CMMS and leveraging best practices to drive highly reliable preventive maintenance and summer and weekend overhaul work.
• Experience in continuous improvement, including Lean Manufacturing, line bottleneck constraint analysis and improvement, leading with daily metrics with employee engagement, and project management skills for process change deployment.
• Ensure alignment of plans and processes with strategic initiatives aimed at reducing processing costs through optimal utilization of resources. Collaborate with other departments to achieve business goals while surpassing customer expectations.
• Role also works closely on best practices with the other Hawaiian Host Group Plant Managers in the company and includes mentorship by the Chief Operating Officer.
• Coordinate plant operations with department managers to achieve processing objectives efficiently and within budget.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the plant budget, while increasing production and controlling spending.
• Implement cost‑effective systems and processes of control over capital, operating expenditures, manpower, wages, and salaries.
• Enhance workforce utilization through optimized operations and processes, ensuring adequate staffing levels, retention, and motivating, training, and equipping staff effectively.
• Strong floor presence up to 50% of time spent engaging with employees and monitoring overall plant performance, maintaining production and quality standards.
• Monitor overall plant performance, maintaining production and quality standards.
• Maintain plant facilities and equipment to ensure smooth and safe operations, replacing or adjusting equipment as needed.
• Continuously improve safety records by addressing physical safety issues and fostering positive safety attitudes, aiming for zero incidents annually.
• Demonstrate effective leadership qualities to lead and manage a diverse team, identifying developmental opportunities and creating individual development plans.
• Hire, lead, motivate and retain the team to achieve goals and exceed customer expectations.
• Lead and develop a team of supervisors, leads, maintenance technicians, operators, and staff across a two‑shift operation.
• Prepare monthly reports for the business, including productivity metrics and budget costs, partnering with finance and accounting.
• Fulfill any additional duties or projects assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to meeting organizational needs.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in production, manufacturing, and operations management within the food processing / manufacturing / ag industries.
• Minimum of five to seven (7) years of general management experience, preferably in a plant/production manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of product quality standards, regulatory compliance, and preventive maintenance programs, and continuous improvement.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.
• Strong managerial skills encompass effective communication, delegation, and motivation.
• Must have strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Capacity to work with and relate to employees at all levels of the organization.
• Basic knowledge of engineering and technical principles.
• Proficiency in equipment and machinery repair and maintenance, including operation of tools such as hand trucks, pallet jacks, and various power tools.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Competency in computer systems and software applications.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration and will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

NOTE

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a complete listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Hawaiian Host Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.