Plant Manager

LHH; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH is seeking an experienced Plant Manager in Dayton, Ohio to lead a food manufacturing operation. This role involves overseeing plant operations, driving safety and quality initiatives, and managing budgets to enhance efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of food safety regulations. The position offers a salary ranging from $120,000 to $150,000.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations with leadership experience.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and cost control.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee plant operations for efficiency and safety.
• Lead and develop teams to foster accountability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership in food production

Continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma)

Food safety knowledge (FDA, USDA)

Budget management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions is currently seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead a food manufacturing operation. This role is ideal for an operations leader with a strong background in food production, team leadership, and continuous improvement, who is looking to make an impact in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will bring a hands‑on leadership style while driving safety, quality, and production efficiency across the facility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and logistics to ensure efficient and safe operations.
• Lead and develop plant leadership and hourly teams, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP) are consistently met.
• Drive production performance by monitoring KPIs, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to align operations with supply chain, quality, and business objectives.
• Manage plant budgets, track operational costs, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization.
• Ensure compliance with all safety standards and promote a strong safety culture throughout the facility.
• Oversee capital projects, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Communicate plant performance, challenges, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with leadership experience in food production required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards (GMP, HACCP, FDA/USDA compliance).
• Proven leadership experience managing large teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and cost control.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑volume production environment.
• Experience with ERP systems and production reporting tools is a plus.

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 based on experience

Hours: Monday through Friday (with flexibility for plant needs and leadership presence across shifts)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.