Plant Manager

KCO Resource Management; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KCO Resource Management is seeking a Plant Manager for a well-established Northeast food manufacturer located in the Concord, NH area. You will oversee daily plant performance, lead production, warehouse, planning, and continuous improvement teams, and ensure safe, efficient operations.

This hands-on role requires developing the team, driving KPI improvements, and partnering with Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to enhance productivity and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Food manufacturing experience required.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience.
• Experience leading hourly manufacturing teams and frontline supervisors.
• Strong understanding of production management and plant KPIs.
• Proven ability to develop teams and drive measurable improvement.
• Hands-on leadership style and floor presence.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required with experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for day-to-day manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop frontline supervisors and manufacturing employees.
• Ensure production schedules and customer requirements are achieved.
• Drive safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, cost, and service improvements.
• Establish and manage plant KPIs, performance expectations, and goals.
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and build relationships.
• Partner with Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, Engineering and others to improve performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity and waste reduction.
• Support capital projects, automation, and equipment improvements.
• Develop standardized processes and operating practices for consistency.
• Build a culture of accountability, communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

Leadership experience

Cross-functional leadership

Hands-on leadership

Operational performance

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

We are working with a well-established and growing food manufacturing company in the Northeast. They are looking for a Plant Manager to oversee day-to-day plant performance and lead teams across production, warehouse, planning, and continuous improvement functions. The Plant Manager will be responsible for maintaining a safe, efficient, and high-performing manufacturing operation, while developing the team and identifying opportunities to improve processes, productivity, and overall plant performance. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on food manufacturing leader to join a stable, growing organization that is continuing to invest in its operations and manufacturing capabilities.

Location: Concord, NH area. Relocation assistance available

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for day‑to‑day manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop frontline supervisors and manufacturing employees.
• Ensure production schedules and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, cost, and service.
• Establish and manage plant KPIs, performance expectations, and operating goals.
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and build effective relationships throughout the organization.
• Partner closely with Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other functions to address issues and improve plant performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, process improvement, waste reduction, and operational efficiency.
• Support capital projects, equipment improvements, and increased automation as the operation continues to evolve.
• Develop standardized processes and operating practices that support consistent execution.
• Build a culture of accountability, communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, quality, workplace safety, and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Food manufacturing experience required.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience preferred.
• Previous Plant Manager, Plant Director, Operations Manager, or comparable manufacturing leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading hourly manufacturing teams and frontline supervisors.
• Strong understanding of production management, plant KPIs, continuous improvement, and operational performance.
• Proven ability to develop teams, establish accountability, and drive measurable improvement.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership skills with the ability to effectively partner with Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, and other functions.
• Hands‑on leadership style with a willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor.
• Experience supporting capital improvements, automation, or manufacturing process improvements preferred.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required with appropriate experience.