Plant Manager

Surge Staffing; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Surge Staffing in Columbus, Ohio seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility. This hands-on role owns plant operations, drives operational excellence, develops high-performing teams, and guides growth of a modern production site.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, lean practices, and strong leadership to achieve Right First Time performance and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 5–10 years of plant management with increasing leadership responsibility.
• Experience in high-volume, high-mix manufacturing.
• Food or baking manufacturing experience preferred.
• Proven P&L responsibility and knowledge of budgets and financial statements.
• Demonstrated success with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SQF, sanitation, food safety, and plant maintenance.
• Strong understanding of OSHA and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to develop managers, supervisors, and production teams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both shop-floor employees and executive leadership.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations and functional departments.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Drive safety, food quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Establish and manage operational KPIs, including Right First Time performance.
• Oversee production planning, capacity, labor, resources, and operational priorities.
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, capital projects, and long-term strategic initiatives.
• Lead succession planning, workforce development, and organizational growth.
• Coach and develop managers and supervisors to build a high-performing team.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Support sustainability and zero-waste initiatives.
• Partner with union representatives and participate in contract negotiations and grievance resolution.
• Collaborate across departments to improve reliability, productivity, quality, and cost performance.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Root cause analysis

Safety culture

Team development

Communication

Operational leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Food Science, Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Compensation: $130,000–$150,000, based on experience

We are conducting a confidential search for an experienced Plant Manager to lead a growing, state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on manufacturing leader to take ownership of overall plant operations, drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and help shape the continued growth of a modern production facility.

The facility features advanced, high-speed production capabilities and is continuing to expand its manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations and functional departments
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with business objectives
• Drive safety, food quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and waste reduction initiatives
• Establish and manage operational KPIs, including Right First Time performance
• Oversee production planning, capacity, labor, resources, and operational priorities
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, capital projects, and long-term strategic initiatives
• Lead succession planning, workforce development, and organizational growth
• Coach and develop managers and supervisors to build a high-performing team
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory standards
• Support sustainability and zero-waste initiatives
• Partner with union representatives and participate in contract negotiations and grievance resolution
• Collaborate across departments to improve reliability, productivity, quality, and cost performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Food Science, Engineering, Science, or a related field preferred
• 5–10 years of plant management experience with progressively increasing leadership responsibility
• Experience in high-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments
• Food or baking manufacturing experience preferred
• Proven P&L responsibility and knowledge of budgets and financial statements
• Demonstrated success with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SQF, sanitation, food safety, and plant maintenance
• Strong understanding of OSHA and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to develop managers, supervisors, and production teams
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both shop-floor employees and executive leadership
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• $130,000–$150,000 base salary, based on experience