Plant Manager

Michael Page; Elmwood Park (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) benefits

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Plant Manager to lead Elmwood Park, WI food manufacturing operations. You will drive safe, compliant production, optimize processes, and lead cross-functional teams across maintenance, quality, and operations.

The role prioritizes Lean Six Sigma, GMP/HACCP, and strong leadership to deliver operational excellence, cost control, and strategic growth. Join a high-visibility leadership team shaping outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading plant operations and coordinating daily production activities.
• Experience working with Engineering & Manufacturing teams.
• Ability to plan workloads, allocate resources, and manage competing priorities.
• Experience reviewing operational performance and resolving production issues.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, USDA, FDA, SQF, BRC, and food safety standards.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement credentials.
• Experience within protein, frozen foods, prepared foods, meat processing, poultry, or other highly regulated food manufacturing environments.
• Multi-site or high-volume manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production, quality, safety, and service objectives are achieved.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and long-term plant performance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, throughput, waste reduction, labour optimisation, and OEE.
• Develop and manage plant budgets, capex, labour plans, and operating spending.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, HR, Finance, and Commercial teams to achieve objectives.
• Support new product launches, capacity expansions, and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

TPM

OEE

Data-driven decisions

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations/Business

Job description

Plant Manager

Lead Plant Operations

Direct all day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production, quality, safety, and service objectives are achieved.

Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and long-term plant performance.

Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service.

Drive Food Safety and Compliance

Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, GMP, SQF/BRC, and all other applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.

Maintain audit readiness and support customer, regulatory, and third-party inspections.

Champion a food safety culture across all departments and shifts.

Develop High-Performing Teams

Lead, coach, and develop department leaders across operations, maintenance, quality, warehouse, and support functions.

Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

Support succession planning and talent development initiatives throughout the facility.

Improve Operational Performance

Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, throughput, waste reduction, labour optimisation, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Partner with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements.

Utilise data and performance metrics to drive decision-making and operational excellence.

Manage Financial Performance

Develop and manage plant budgets, capital expenditures, labour plans, and operational spending.

Identify opportunities to improve profitability while maintaining quality and service standards.

Ensure effective inventory management and cost control across the operation.

Partner Across the Business

Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Human Resources, Finance, and Commercial teams to achieve company objectives.

Support new product launches, capacity expansion projects, and strategic business initiatives.

Serve as a key member of the leadership team, providing operational insight and execution support.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants. The company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

A successful Plant Manager within food manufacturing should have:

Experience leading plant operations and coordinating daily production activities.

Experience working with Engineering & Manufacturing teams.

Ability to plan workloads, allocate resources, and manage competing priorities.

Experience reviewing operational performance and resolving production issues.

Ability to improve processes while maintaining consistent output and quality.

Clear communication skills for sharing expectations and operational updates. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.

8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within food, beverage, protein, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing.

Prior experience managing a USDA-regulated food production facility.

Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, USDA, FDA, SQF, BRC, and food safety standards.

Demonstrated success leading plant operations with full responsibility for safety, quality, production, maintenance, and financial performance.

Experience developing and leading salaried and hourly teams in a manufacturing environment.

Proven ability to drive operational improvements through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar methodologies.

Experience within protein, frozen foods, prepared foods, meat processing, poultry, or other highly regulated food manufacturing environments.

Multi-site or high-volume manufacturing experience.

Experience leading facility expansions, turnaround efforts, or major operational transformation initiatives.

Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement credentials.

What's on Offer

Permanent Plant Manager position in Elmwood Park, WI.

Salary of $180,000 to $200,000.

401(k) benefits.

Lead a large-scale food manufacturing operation with significant influence over business performance.

Opportunity to shape culture, improve operations, and develop future leaders.

High visibility with executive leadership and direct impact on company growth.

Competitive compensation package, bonus opportunity, and comprehensive benefits.

Join a company committed to operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement.