Plant Manager

Kerry; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 125,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry, a leading taste and nutrition company, is seeking a dynamic leader to oversee plant operations in Greenville, NC. This role involves driving operational excellence, managing talent development, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will have a background in food sciences or a related field and demonstrate strong leadership skills. Join Kerry and partner with customers to create healthier, more sustainable products.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Incentive and recognition programs

Equity stock purchase

Retirement contribution

Qualifications

• Experience in food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry required.
• Familiarity with HACCP and food safety standards essential.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations ensuring strategic goal alignment.
• Develop and maintain a talent pipeline across departments.
• Ensure a safe working environment in compliance with QHSE standards.

Skills

Leadership

Change Management

Critical Thinking

Customer Engagement

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Food Science

Job description

About Kerry Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment. Key responsibilities

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Lead all plant operations to ensure alignment with strategic and performance goals.
• Control and optimize all costs that directly impact plant performance.
• Oversee and manage all site capital projects to support growth and efficiency.

People & Culture

• Set clear expectations and performance standards; motivate and engage employees.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of qualified talent across all departments.
• Ensure execution of talent management and succession planning strategies.
• Provide strong functional leadership and foster a culture of accountability and development.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure a safe working environment and compliance with all QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment) standards.
• Maintain plant infrastructure to support long-term viability and growth.

Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership

• Drive a continuous improvement mindset across the plant.
• Lead change initiatives and support cluster leads on strategy, policy, and risk management.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers at all levels.
• Ensure effective inventory management to meet operational and customer needs.

Qualifications and skills

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Food Science.

Experience

• Experience in the food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industry.
• Familiarity with HACCP and food safety standards.

Leadership & People Development

• Strong ability to lead and develop others.
• Proven experience managing and coaching high-performing teams.

Change Management

• Demonstrated success leading and implementing change initiatives.
• Adaptability in dynamic environments.

Technical Expertise

• Solid understanding of food and processing technologies.
• Knowledge of cost drivers and continuous improvement tools.

Customer Engagement

• Ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Skilled in presenting and “selling to” customers.

Critical Thinking & Business Acumen

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven business skills with the ability to drive change and create a vision.

Compensation Data

The typical hiring range for this role is $125,181 to $217,557 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).