Plant Manager

Socket.dev; Gonzales (TX); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Land O'Lakes, Inc. in Gonzales, TX is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily operations, safety, quality, and budgets, guiding the team through lean practices and DMAIC methods.

You will lead maintenance, QA, production supervisors, and coordinators, ensuring strong collaboration with HR and project teams to drive improvements. The role requires strong leadership, budgeting discipline, and a focus on cross-functional collaboration with Sales and Engineering to position the plant for growth and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years supervisory experience in manufacturing OR HS diploma with 10+ years supervisory experience
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills
• Strong customer relations skills with internal and external customers
• Proven project management capabilities and ability to diagnose operational inefficiencies

Responsibilities

• Lead plant leadership and manage direct reports and plant team
• Develop talent and maintain strong relations with plant stakeholders
• Ensure safety as a core value and promote safe work practices
• Manage materials, equipment, and supplies for daily production
• Control plant budget and capital spend with Engineering and project teams
• Drive continuous improvement via lean and DMAIC methodologies
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering to drive strategic initiatives

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Customer relations

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

High School Diploma

Tools

DMAIC

Job description

Plant Manager

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

Facility Leadership

• Provide leadership to both facilities, including Maintenance Manager, QA Manager, Production Supervisor, Plant Administrative Coordinators, and an offsite Plant Manager

• 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.

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.