Plant Manager

Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Gonzales (TX); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is seeking a Senior Plant Manager for the Gonzales, TX facility to oversee daily operations, safety, quality, and productivity. Lead plant staff, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement using lean practices to meet business goals.

You will coordinate with HR, Sales, and Engineering to deliver results, maintain regulatory compliance, and develop talent across levels while promoting a safe, efficient, and engaged work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a manufacturing environment with 4+ years of supervision required.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills; must be respected by peers and customers.
• Proven customer relations skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities; able to diagnose inefficiencies and solve complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Coach and manage performance of direct reports and plant team.
• Maintain relationships with HR and ensure CBA requirements are met.
• Develop talent and be a change agent for the facility.
• Drive continuous improvement using lean methodologies (DMAIC).
• Manage budget and capital spend; ensure projects complete on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering on strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Customer relations

Project management

Lean / DMAIC

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 4+ years supervisory

HS/GED + 10+ years supervisory

Job description

This role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business helping our network of local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers serve producers, and animal owners throughout the United States. Through industry -leading R&D and committed partnerships, we innovate the nutrition products and practices that unlock the full potential of every animal for a healthier, more productive life.

The Plant Manager is responsible to oversee all aspects of the operation within the Purina Gonzales, TX facility. This position manages the daily activities of the plant and is responsible for the proper execution of all tasks associated with human safety, product quality and plant operations. The position will manage the plant costs to ensure spend is in alignment with set budgets. The Senior Plant Manager will ensure the use of continuous improvement with plant employees using lean methodologies in a team setting to lead in the most efficient way possible to maintain safety, quality and productivity goals, while adhering to the company policies.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Coach and manage performance of all direct reports and entire plant team
• In cooperation with Human Resources maintain strong relations with all plant team members and ensure the CBA requirements are met (Spencer)
• Develop talent within the plant to ensure strong leadership is present at all levels
• Be a change agent for the facility by influencing and inspiring all team members
• Create team engagement to find and resolve production limiters
• Ensure that human safety is a core value for all team members by promoting a safe work environment and safe work practices

Operations Management

• Support product quality improvements by ensuring all EQMS requirements are in place
• Ensure materials, equipment, and supplies that are needed to perform daily production are in place
• Manage the plant budget and communicate concerns when these are present
• Manage all plant capital spend by working closely with project manager/Engineering and making sure that all projects are completed on time and within the authorized dollar amount
• Drive continuous improvement efforts via process improvement teams within the plant
• Leverage lean and problem solving (DMAIC) methodology to resolve production slowdowns and process downtime

Business Strategy & Collaboration

• Work with internal and external customers to ensure the plant is meeting set expectations
• Partner with the business representation to ensure customers needs are understood and fulfilled
• Through collaboration with Sales Team and Engineering, drive strategic initiatives to position the plants and operation’s teams for new growth opportunities and untapped business segments

Required Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment OR High School Diploma/GED and 10+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Must have strong leadership skills and strategic planning skills. Must be respected by peers, co-workers, vendors, and internal and external customers.
• Must have strong customer relations skills in working with both internal and external customers.
• Requires proven and demonstrated project management capabilities and the ability to diagnose operational inefficiencies. Assignments will be broad in nature and require originality and ability to navigate complex problems and utilize others to find resolution.

Salary: $123,920 - $185,880

In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.