Plant Director

Worklane GmbH; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match

Vacation and Paid Holidays

Life and AD&D Insurance

Well-being Benefit

Job summary

Refresco Beverages US Inc. seeks a Director Plant to lead daily operations, drive safety, quality and efficiency across the production floor, and partner with management to meet budgets and customer commitments.

You will shape a high-performing team, implement continuous improvement initiatives, ensure SQF and GMP compliance, and deliver clear performance reporting to executives while maintaining a safe, inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership in food & beverage manufacturing.
• Six Sigma or Kaizen knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations and drive safe, efficient production.
• Lead GMP, SQF, and food safety compliance across plant functions.
• Manage staffing, performance, hiring, and termination decisions.
• Set objectives aligned with corporate goals and customer needs; lead cost management.
• Analyze plant performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Excel

SAP

PowerPoint

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in a related field

Six Sigma / Kaizen knowledge

Tools

SAP

Job description

Make a Difference in YOUR Career!

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.

We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game.We are solutions-based.We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too:Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.

Stop and think: how wouldYOUput our drinks on every table?

Position Description

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Operations, the Director Plant is responsible for overseeing daily plant operations, ensuring efficient production processes, maintaining quality standards, managing costs and leading personnel. Generally, directs the plant through supervision, sharing information, and taking or directing corrective action as required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Adhere to and ensure compliance to all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Adhere to and lead compliance to food quality and food safety as per the standard(s) provided by corporate, customer, and/or governing bodies (ex. SQF).
• Leads and directs the work of other employees and has responsibility for personnel actions including hiring, performance management, and termination.
• Supervision may be provided through a team of subordinate supervisors and/or managers.
• Provides training, direction and instruction and conducts performance evaluations.
• Provides guidance and training on work standards and expected outcomes.
• Accountable for planning and evaluating performance, staff training and development, recruitment and may contribute to pay recommendations.
• Operates the plant in accordance with corporate and plant policies, customer requirements, approved budgets.
• Provide leadership and sets objectives for the plant based on corporate goals and customer needs.
• Analysis of plant results, discussing areas of concern with the management team
• Conduct plant production meetings with plant employees including management team.
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that aligns with the company’s values.
• Directly observe operating departments on a regular basis to ensure the quality of production and adherence to sanitation and safety standards.
• Collaborates with customers and vendors to ensure the fulfillment of customer orders within the specifications of quality, quantity and cost.
• Manages the assigned business metrics including yield, labor efficiency, and overhead expenses.
• Demonstrates leadership to all plant personnel to ensure consistent quality of work.
• Effectively communicate plant goals, production requirements, and performance outcomes with relevant departments and management, providing regular reports and presentations to all levels of management on key business impacts.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase productivity, reduce waste, and optimize resources.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards, including OSHA and EHS regulations, and company protocols. Develop and implement strategies for a safe working environment, focused on accident prevention, energy reduction, and waste minimization.
• Ensure the efficient allocation of human resources across the plant and when applicable, maintain proper administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Responsible for reviewing SQF Annual Review checklist with Management.
• Determine and implement key Quality Food Safety objectives, determine responsibility, and assign time frame for competition.
• Responsible for site security /Food defense.
• Responsible for Business Continuity Team: decision making, oversight and investigating actions arising from a crisis management incident.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Excel, Word, SAP and Power Point.
• Proven leadership experience in a production environment.
• Strong team player who can work across multiple functions.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems, results oriented.
• Able to work under deadline pressures.
• Organized and detail oriented, adaptable to change.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.

Competencies:

• Leadership: Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, lead courageously on a day-to-day basis, and inspire growth with a clear and ambitious vision that guides the collective effort toward success
• Operational Management: Plan and oversee production, optimize resources, and drive continuous improvement.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance to ensure equipment reliability and availability.
• Financial Acumen: Manage budgets, control costs, and analyze the financial impact of data driven decisions.
• Quality Management: Implement quality control procedures, resolve issues through root-cause analysis, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, quality systems (HAACP, GMP, SQF), and customer expectations.
• Communication and Collaboration: Collaborate across departments and clearly communicate with employees and executives.
• Strategic Thinking: Develop long-term strategies to improve production and mitigate risks.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Handle crises, analyze data for inefficiencies, and drive innovation.

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in a related field preferred.
• 10 years+ relevant work experience in leadership in food and beverage manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies like Six Sigma or Kaizen preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Work Schedule: Weekdays, weekends, afternoon, evenings, overnight and holidays may be required.
• Work Environment: Operating in a fast-paced production plant with numerous moving parts. Noise levels require hearing protection and temperatures can get very hot and/or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised, with clear production targets and schedules to meet.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel anticipated: Rarely

Physical Requirements:

• Visual/Sensory – This position requires attention to detail, requiring attention with one or two senses at a time.
• Mental Stress – There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, production quotas, accuracy, or similar demands.

Other Duties:

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

A Career with Refresco

Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Short-term disability and long-term disability
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time OffDays
• Well-being Benefit
• Discount and Total Reward Programs

Any employment agency, person, or entity that submits a résumé to this career site or a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Refresco Beverages US, Inc. Refresco Beverages, US Inc., will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person, or entity.

Employment agencies that have agreements with Refresco Beverages US, Inc., and have been engaged in a search shall submit a résumé to the designated Refresco recruiter or, upon authorization, submit a résumé to this career site to be eligible for placement fees.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.