Plant Manager

Judge Direct Placement; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement in Bakersfield, CA is seeking a Plant Manager to lead daily operations in a food processing facility. You will oversee safety programs, production planning, quality control, and equipment performance while driving cost efficiency and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressive management in food processing, with budgeting, staffing and cost-analysis skills, and strong leadership and communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years in management within the food processing industry.
• Experience with budgeting, staffing and cost analysis.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion a culture of safety and promote health initiatives.
• Lead food safety practices across all operations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Uphold EEO policies and foster a respectful, harassment-free work environment.
• Develop leadership bench strength to support growth.
• Establish production goals aligned with cost, quality and profitability targets.
• Analyze performance metrics to ensure production efficiency and margin objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance equipment and processes.
• Coordinate with Marketing and regulatory bodies to develop new products and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Cost analysis

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Plant Manager in Bakersfield, CA area!

Responsibilities:

• Champion a culture of safety by promoting and driving team member health and safety initiatives.
• Lead and reinforce food safety practices across all operations.
• Execute management responsibilities in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Uphold EEO policies and ensure a respectful, harassment-free work environment.
• Foster positive employee relations and maintain a stable, reliable workforce.
• Develop and strengthen leadership bench strength to support current operations and future growth.
• Cultivate an engaged, inclusive culture where team members feel respected, valued, and informed.
• Establish and monitor short- and long-term production goals aligned with cost, quality, and profitability targets.
• Analyze performance metrics to ensure production efficiency and achievement of margin objectives.
• Lead the development of personnel and systems to position operations as industry leaders in cost and quality.
• Ensure alignment of safety programs with company values and operational goals through proactive leadership.
• Support product development, quality assurance, and engineering initiatives to drive operational growth and profitability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance equipment, systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Marketing and regulatory bodies (USDA) to develop new products and processes.
• Ensure compliance with SSOP and HACCP programs in all product and process development activities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of progressive responsibility in management within the food processing industry
• Demonstrated financial understanding to include budgeting, staffing, and cost analysis.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and drive.lua>
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.