Assistant Plant Manager | Westway Feed Products | Hereford, Texas

ED&F Man Commodities Ltd; Hereford (TX); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Westway Feed Products in Hereford, Texas is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, ensure safety and efficiency, and support customer service and resolution of plant issues. The role involves coordinating production, receiving, and logistics, while driving continuous improvement across the facility.

The position requires extensive plant experience, strong supervision and regulatory knowledge, and a proactive, hands-on approach to safety and operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of plant/refinery/tank vessel experience.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret regulations, policies, and reports.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with staff, management and customers.
• Proficient in Office software and able to learn new systems.
• Knowledge of local laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of chemical safety and hazardous substances advantageous.
• Willing to work outdoors, with shifts including weekends or evenings.
• Familiar with OSHA standards including hot work, working from heights and confined spaces.
• Experience operating forklift is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of the plant employees.
• Assist plant manager with recruitment, training, performance management, compensation, time-off and discipline.
• Coordinate production and receiving, and ensure orders are fulfilled correctly.
• Observe and make recommendations regarding the efficiency of the plant operations.
• Assist in planning and coordinating customer service activities with the plant manager; act as a contact for customers.
• Enforce safety policies and procedures to promote a safe and environmentally responsible workplace; assist with safety meetings.
• Ensure production adheres to company policies and regulations including product mixing and logistics coordination.
• Plan and complete record-keeping programs.
• Assist with plant audits and complete special projects as requested by management.
• Communicate professionally and provide timely feedback to colleagues and employees.
• Identify problems, use judgment to find solutions and follow through on resolution.
• Maintain confidentiality and foster teamwork and learning.

Skills

Plant experience (5+ years)

Staff supervision

Document analysis

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Chemical safety

OSHA standards

Working at height

Forklift experience

Flexibility/outdoor work

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Assistant Plant Manager | Westway Feed Products | Hereford, Texas

We have a great opportunity for someone to join us as an Assistant Plant Manager based in Hereford, Texas. The role will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of our facility, ensuring maximum efficiency and safety while meeting customer needs and service expectations. The position will oversee the effective handling of all orders and support the day-to-day management and resolution of plant issues. Working within our highly diverse business, this role will also have the opportunity to make a real impact through involvement in a range of regional and global projects, supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Position Title:

Business area: Liquid Products

Location: Hereford, Texas

Position Type: Full-time

Business Overview

Westway Feed Products is North America’s largest manufacturer of liquid supplements for livestock. Additionally, we produce feed mill products, dried molasses and industrial products. The core concept of Westway’s business is to utilize co-products from other industries and convert them into safe, high-quality, cost effective, livestock feed supplements. While Westway’s primary ingredient for many of our products is molasses, we also incorporate other co-products. The concept of utilizing these co-products is the foundation of our sustainability platform. Today, Westway operates 22 production facilities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our geographic reach allows for products to be developed according to environmental and production system variations across the country.

Westway, a division within ED&F Man, is owned by Hartree Partners, LP a leading global merchant commodities firm facilitating the flow of energy, metals, agriculture, and environmental products across the full commodity supply chain, connecting producers and consumers. Hartree was founded in 1997, is jointly owned by senior management and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and employs around 5,000 individuals worldwide.

Key Accountabilities

• Directly supervises and coordinates the activities of the plant employees.
• Assists the plant manager with recruitment, training, performance management, compensation, time-off and discipline.
• Coordinates production and receiving, and ensures orders are fulfilled correctly.
• Observes and makes recommendations regarding the efficiency of the plant operations.
• Assists in planning and coordinating customer service activities in consultation with the plant manager, acts as a contact for customers in conjunction with plant manager.
• Enforces company policies and procedures to promote and ensure a safe and environmentally responsible workplace, assisting with safety meetings and inspections.
• Ensures all production is carried out as per company polices and regulations, including ensuring appropriate product mixing and blending, and coordinating the logistics and movement of product.
• Plans and completes record keeping programs.
• Assists with plant audits and completes special projects as requested by management.
• Interacts and communicates with colleagues and employees in a professional and appropriate manner and responds to and gives feedback in a respectful and positive manner.
• Takes the initiative to identify problems, uses judgment to find appropriate solutions and follows through on resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Maintains confidentiality and supports team efforts, actively working to generate respect and enthusiasm, cooperation, and active learning from team members.

Skills and Experience

To perform the duties of this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below outline the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies that are required in this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 5+ years’ experience in a plant, refinery or tank vessel environment.
• Experience and knowledge of staff supervision.
• Able to read, analyze and interpret documents such as regulations, policies and reports.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions and complaints from staff, co- workers, management and customers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn other software related to our operations.
• Knowledge of local pertinent laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of safely working with chemicals and hazardous substances would be advantageous.
• Flexible and comfortable working outside, completing shifts and overtime as necessary, including weekends or evenings.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards including hot work, working from heights and confined spaces.
• Able to work at height without limitations and in confined places including railcars, truck trailers and tanks.
• Previous experience of operating forklift trucks would be beneficial.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Integrity, Accountability, Teamwork, Passion for Service, Business Insight

Westway’s values guide our pursuit of providing a safe and rewarding environment for our employees while helping our customers to thrive.

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

We encourage everyone to speak up if they witness any behaviour that violates laws, regulations, or our internal policies, values, or standards of conduct. If you wish to raise a concern or report a grievance, please visit: https://edfman.speakup.report/edfman .