Plant Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement seeks a Plant Manager in the Bakersfield, CA area to lead manufacturing operations with a strong emphasis on safety and quality.

You will drive production efficiency, manage budgets, develop leadership bench, and ensure HACCP/SSOP compliance while collaborating with cross-functional teams and regulatory bodies such as USDA.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of food processing management experience, with proven leadership and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive management in food processing.
• Strong budgeting, staffing and cost-analysis capabilities.
• Proven leadership and people-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Champion safety culture and health initiatives across operations.
• Lead food safety practices and ensure HACCP/SSOP compliance.
• Drive production goals, cost targets, and profitability.
• Develop leadership bench strength and engage workforce.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development and regulatory bodies (USDA).

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Financial acumen

Safety culture

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.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

#JDP

Comprehensive benefits package including (but not limited to) health, dental, vision and 401k