Plant Manager

Kerry; Alaska; On-site; USD 130,000 - 212,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Equity stock purchase program

Retirement contribution

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Plant Manager for the Evansville, IN site to lead an ambitious, safety‑driven operations agenda focused on sustainable growth and cost efficiency. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you will shape the operational strategy and drive performance across a cross‑functional network.

You will oversee manufacturing safety, efficiency, budgets, and regulatory compliance, while building a high‑performing team and delivering measurable results.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in an operations management role in food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• 7+ years of experience with direct reports.
• 3+ years as Plant Manager or 5+ years as high-level Production Manager.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in an applicable field.
• Proven change agent with track record of continuous improvement and accountability programs.
• Proven ability to develop top talent and manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations including safety, production efficiency, and plant financial performance.
• Translate strategic plans into site operations, communicate plans, and track results.
• Drive strategic plan execution through operations leadership while prioritizing safety and quality.
• Develop an engaged, high-performing workforce and coach talent to excel.
• Advance continuous improvement initiatives to meet safety, quality, cost, and service goals.

Skills

Operations management

People management

Change management

Continuous improvement

Talent development

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Strategic thinking

ERP systems

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

The Plant Manager for our Evansville, IN site will be accountable for leading an ambitious, change-oriented and forward-looking operational agenda focused on transformation and growth, responsive to a fast-changing world and becoming more consumer and customer centric though cost-efficient agile operations.

Reporting to the VP of Operations and working as part of the Food leadership team, you will be responsible for shaping the operational strategy which will focus on sustainable, profitable growth and performance while working closely with a broad cross-functional group of internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for all manufacturing operations including safety, production efficiencies and financial performance of the plant.
• Translate the business unit’s strategic plan into tactical and strategic plans for site operations, effectively communicating the plan, tracking and reporting results.
• Execute strategic plan through leadership of operations department and staff, keeping employee and food safety as top priorities.
• Ensure optimum organizational design, creates an engaged and team-oriented workforce and coaches/develops talent to perform at a high level.
• Drive and support continuous improvement processes to ensure safety, quality, cost, and service goals are met and exceeded where possible.
• Control all costs that directly affect plant performance.
• Accountable for providing a safe working environment and practicing GMPS.

Qualifications and skills

• 10+ years’ experience in an operations management role in the food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
• 7+ years of experience with direct reports.
• 3+ years of experience with Plant Manager title, or 5+ years of experience as high-level Production Manager.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in an applicable field of study.
• Demonstrated success as a change agent & developing/implementing continuous improvement initiatives and accountability programs.
• Demonstrated success assessing, developing, and retaining top talent.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements, adhere to budgets, and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to lead with the following key competencies Strategic Thinking, Managing Change, Critical Thinking, Technical Expertise, Influence, and Delivery of Sustainable Results.
• Organizational skills & excellent communication skills are essential.
• Experience with ERP systems, SAP preferred. MS Office and other relevant systems.

Working Conditions

• Food manufacturing plant.

The typical base salary hiring range for this role is $129,900 to $211,850 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at Know Your Rights Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.