Assistant Plant Manager

Gotham Greens; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company focused on sustainable agriculture is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager to oversee greenhouse operations. This role requires a dynamic leader with a strong background in food manufacturing, capable of driving productivity and efficiency. You will manage daily operations, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while developing your team through effective training and mentorship. Join a forward-thinking organization that values both people and the planet, and be part of a mission to transform the food system for the better. If you are passionate about sustainable practices and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 4-8 years of experience in plant operations or manufacturing.
• Experience in food manufacturing is essential.
• Strong mentoring and coaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations including safety, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and manage employee training programs.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality control.

Skills

Plant Operations Management

Food Safety Compliance

Team Leadership

Inventory Management

Analytical Skills

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Assistant Plant Manager reports directly to the Plant Manager and works closely alongside the Grower, Production Supervisors and Director of Operations. The Assistant Plant Manager is directly responsible for the overall management day to day operations in the Greenhouse facility including but not limited to, seeding, transplanting, packing and processing leafy greens and herbs, distribution and logistics of finished goods with particular focus on driving productivity and efficiency of the facility. The Assistant Plant Manager is responsible for working with the Plant Manager to implement standardized procedures and protocols at the facility in areas including staff training and management, inventory; distribution and logistics; sanitation, quality control, production techniques safety and compliance.

Prior experience in running a food manufacturing unit is essential for the role and knowledge of line running techniques is a plus. This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and organized individual to assume a position at a rapidly growing, innovative, disruptive company in the 21st century food system.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Operations

• Overall responsibility for managing the day to day including safety, quality, cost, productivity, inventory, and distribution departments
• Manage direct reports including Production Supervisors, site Logistics and all hourly employees.
• Provides leadership and training for direct reports focusing on effective production controls.
• Collaborate with Plant Manager and Senior Grower to operate a productive and cost-effective Greenhouse facility.
• Support Plant Manager via input on staffing levels, employee relations issues, 3rd party interaction, inspections, and audits.
• Ensure that all policies, procedures and work instructions are implemented and followed in order to maintain efficient food safety and quality control.
• Work with maintenance in ensuring PPM and corrective action is reported and actioned in a timely manner to ensure the effective productivity of the greenhouse.
• Record and analyze 'downtime' to minimize 'lost' production and to liaise with other Departments / Managers on addressing the resulting issues.
• Effectively manage the labour resource and control this to within the given budgets / targets for the required output.
• Work with Plant Manager to maintain cost effective inventory levels.
• Provide input to Plant Manager for effective communication with Sales and Marketing to support continued company growth.
• Enforce GAP & GMP's and provide proper training to all employees to ensure compliance with our SOP's for food safety and quality
• Order miscellaneous supplies and provide supplier feedback to Plant Manager and Procurement

Team Development and Leadership

• Develop and manage a progressive employee training program in line with company objectives.
• Ensure that SOPs are adhered to, improved upon where applicable and taught to new hires / transfers.
• Provide safe working environment for employees by maintaining the facility and equipment in an optimal working environment and enforce adherence to safe work practices.
• Ensure employees have the right tools, knowledge and equipment required to do their jobs effectively and safely.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach : assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate results.
• Monitor employee relations issues (example, time and attendance), escalating issues to Plant Manager and / or HR, as needed.
• Participate in interviewing and hiring, providing input to Plant Manager.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor's Degree
• 4-8 years of relevant related experience in plant operations or manufacturing with proven success.
• Experience managing in a food manufacturing environment is essential and experience managing in a chilled food manufacturing business preferred.
• Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and negotiating abilities
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail; highly organized.
• Passionate commitment to company vision
• Appreciation to principles of sustainable agriculture and food
• Strong knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent in English and Spanish

The ideal candidate :

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Reliable and highly motivated with a creative flair and lively personality
• Passionate commitment to the company vision
• Appreciation to principles of sustainable agriculture and food

WHO WE ARE

Gotham Greens is an indoor farming company and a fresh food brand on a mission to transform the way we approach our food system, putting people and the planet at the forefront. Gotham Greens produces and delivers long-lasting and delicious leafy greens, herbs, salad dressings, dips, and cooking sauces all year round to retail, restaurant, and foodservice customers.

A Certified B Corporation, Gotham Greens sustainably grows high-quality produce using up to 90% less water and 97% less land than conventional farming through its national network of climate-controlled, high-tech greenhouses across America, including locations in New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and California.

Since its launch in 2011, Gotham Greens has grown from a single urban rooftop greenhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., to one of the largest hydroponic leafy green producers in North America. For more information, visit gothamgreens.com.

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