Plant Director

Wood Pond Search Partners; United States; In loco; USD 180.000 - 240.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Wood Pond Search Partners is conducting a confidential nationwide search for a Plant Director in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. This on-site leadership role requires a hands-on leader who can develop teams, improve plant performance, and scale processes to support growth.

You will lead day-to-day operations, shape plant culture, ensure safety and quality, manage budgets, and work with senior leadership to align execution with business priorities.

Competenze

• Progressive leadership experience in food, beverage, or closely related consumer products manufacturing.
• Experience leading a plant or a significant manufacturing operation as a Plant Manager, Plant Director, Director of Manufacturing, or similar leader.
• Track record of improving operational performance while developing teams and maintaining strong safety and quality standards.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, GMPs, sanitation, and continuous improvement.

Mansioni

• Lead plant operations across production, maintenance, and related support functions, partnering closely with Quality, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, coach, and develop plant leaders, supervisors, and frontline teams.
• Own plant performance against key measures, including throughput, yield, downtime, waste, labor efficiency, and schedule attainment.
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and quality practices in partnership with the Quality team.
• Establish clear operating routines, performance expectations, and problem-solving processes.
• Manage operating budgets, staffing plans, and resources to support service and cost objectives.
• Lead improvements in equipment reliability, production capacity, and manufacturing processes.
• Support capital projects, new product introductions, and line or capacity expansions as needed.
• Partner with senior leadership to translate growth plans into practical plant execution.

Conoscenze

Leadership

People development

Safety management

Quality systems

Continuous improvement

Descrizione del lavoro

Our team is working on 3 confidential searches nationwide for top food/beverage manufacturers from the Midwest down to the southeast.

These roles are under NDA contracts and candidates will have to sign to progress after the 1st interview. We will release location to candidates in the first interview with out team at WPSP.

Location: United States | Nationwide search | On-site leadership role

Wood Pond Search Partners is conducting a confidential search for a Plant Director with a growing food and beverage manufacturer.

This opportunity is built for a hands-on manufacturing leader who can develop strong teams, improve plant performance, and build the systems needed to support growth. You’ll have the opportunity to shape plant culture, strengthen operational capabilities, and make a direct impact on the business.

The Opportunity

The Plant Director will lead day-to-day manufacturing operations while setting the long-term direction for the facility. This leader will be accountable for safety, quality, service, cost, and people development, working closely with senior leadership to align plant execution with business priorities. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable on the production floor, confident developing leaders, and effective in an environment where priorities evolve and processes need to scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations across production, maintenance, and related support functions, partnering closely with Quality, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, coach, and develop plant leaders, supervisors, and frontline teams.
• Own plant performance against key measures, including throughput, yield, downtime, waste, labor efficiency, and schedule attainment.
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and quality practices in partnership with the Quality team.
• Establish clear operating routines, performance expectations, and problem-solving processes.
• Manage operating budgets, staffing plans, and resources to support service and cost objectives.
• Lead improvements in equipment reliability, production capacity, and manufacturing processes.
• Support capital projects, new product introductions, and line or capacity expansions as needed.
• Partner with senior leadership to translate growth plans into practical plant execution.

What We’re Looking For

• Progressive leadership experience in food, beverage, or closely related consumer products manufacturing.
• Experience leading a plant or a significant manufacturing operation as a Plant Manager, Plant Director, Director of Manufacturing, or similar leader.
• A track record of improving operational performance while developing teams and maintaining strong safety and quality standards.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, GMPs, sanitation, and continuous improvement.
• Financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, labor costs, and capital priorities.
• Ability to balance daily execution with longer-term improvements.
• A practical, visible leadership style with the ability to build credibility from the production floor to the executive team.

Experience That Stands Out

• Working within a growing brand, entrepreneurial business, or evolving manufacturing environment.
• Launching new facilities, production lines, products, or shifts.
• Building systems and teams during periods of rapid growth or operational change.
• Bringing structure and discipline from larger organizations into smaller or midsize businesses.

Confidentiality & Location

This is a confidential search. Company information, facility location, compensation, and additional details will be shared with qualified candidates during initial discussions.

The position requires on-site plant leadership and is not a remote working role. Willingness to relocate may be necessary depending on your current location.