Co-Manufacturing Plant Leader - Ops & Quality

Maker’s Pride, LLC; Michigan City (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Maker’s Pride, LLC is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee our Michigan City, IN co-manufacturing operations. You will lead production, packaging, maintenance, and quality control while driving safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, quality standards, and regulatory compliance. A history of managing budgets, schedules, and supplier relations is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of managerial experience in a co-manufacturing or food production environment; baking experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.
• Strategic thinker with track record of driving operational excellence and achieving business objectives.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office; SAP/Oracle experience is a plus.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day plant operations, including production, packaging, maintenance, and quality control to meet targets and quality standards.
• Supervise and mentor managers, supervisors, technicians, and staff, fostering safety, quality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement production schedules and resource plans to optimize efficiency and meet customer demand while minimizing costs.
• Ensure adherence to quality assurance protocols and regulatory requirements, addressing non-conformities and improving processes.
• Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety policies, conducting audits, and promoting safety culture.
• Manage plant budget and expenses, identifying cost saving opportunities and improving efficiency.
• Collaborate with suppliers and co-manufacturing partners to ensure timely delivery and build customer relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/Six Sigma) to reduce waste and enhance plant performance.
• Prepare regular reports on plant performance, including production and quality metrics, with insights for senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic thinking

Continuous improvement

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Maker’s Pride, LLC is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee our Michigan City, IN co-manufacturing operations. You will lead production, packaging, maintenance, and quality control while driving safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, quality standards, and regulatory compliance. A history of managing budgets, schedules, and supplier relations is essential.