Plant Manager

Winland Foods, Inc.; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 113,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with match

STD/LTD/AD&D/Life

HSA

FSA

EAP

Hospital indemnity

Accident Insurance

Identity and Fraud Protection Plan

Legal

Critical Illness

Job summary

Winland Foods in Kenosha, WI is seeking a Plant Manager to lead overall plant operations, coach teams in Lean practices and safety, and drive improvements in quality, cost and delivery.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 5-8 years of plant leadership experience, with travel as needed. You will shape the operations strategy, manage budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster employee engagement to achieve performance goals.

Qualifications

• Lean/Continuous Improvement experience strongly desired.
• Results-driven with the ability to grow and learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Travel to other sites may periodically be required.

Responsibilities

• Continually coach, direct and train employees utilizing Lean principles.
• Monitor employees' work performance and attitude and perform formal reviews as required by policy.
• Coach and counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job skill deficiencies.
• Ensure adherence to all health and safety policies/protocols and promote a safety culture.
• Lead the development, execution and monitoring of the operations strategy in line with the overall operational objectives to achieve performance, quality, and safety improvement and ensure achievement of manufacturing goals.
• Lead the continuous improvement program to deliver opportunities in cost, quality, food safety and service.
• Drive the development and execution of operational and capital budgets.
• Utilize available data including Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), line speed target, and efficiency and process data to continuously improve productivity, uptime and reliability.
• Ensure all plant personnel are operating in compliance with plant and corporate procedures as well as in compliance with all customer and governmental regulations.
• Co-ordinate manufacturing activities with all other functions of the organization and suppliers to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines and equipment.
• Conduct regular meetings with plant personnel to ensure operational issues are being communicated and addressed expediently with a common understanding of goals.
• Drive employee engagement, training and development to maximize safety, quality, and productivity.

Skills

Lean/Continuous Improvement

Leadership

Safety Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management or Engineering

5-8 years manufacturing experience in plant leadership

Job description

Job Title: Plant Manager

The Plant Manager manages, directs and coordinates overall plant operations. Through subordinates, supervisors and managers, safety, continuous improvement, quality, cost, customer service, and production objectives are met or exceeded. Provides coaching and leadership to team members in the areas of safety, continuous improvement, productivity, quality, cost, equipment reliability, and employee engagement. Success relies on the ability to build relationships and fully engage all employees in business improvement. Performance will be managed by the following critical metrics: lower conversion cost year over year, asset reliability, successful retention of key certifications in food safety, quality and organics, reduced total recordable injury rates, improved yields, employee retention and turnover, case fill rate and on time delivery.

Employee Type: Full time Location: WI Kenosha Job Type: Production Operations Job Posting Title: Plant Manager

Schedule: Monday-Friday, with flexibility as needed 24/7 operations

Work Location: 6819 77th Avenue, Kenosha WI 53142

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $113,000 - $198,000 annually with additional bonus potential

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with match
• STD/LTD/AD&D/Life
• HSA
• FSA
• EAP
• Hospital indemnity
• Accident Insurance
• Identity and Fraud Protection Plan
• Legal
• Critical Illness

Roles & Responsibilities

• Continually coach, direct and train employees utilizing Lean principles.
• Monitor employees' work performance and attitude and perform formal reviews as required by policy.
• Coach and counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job skill deficiencies.
• Ensure adherence to all health and safety policies/protocols and promote a safety culture.
• Lead the development, execution and monitoring of the operations strategy in line with the overall operational objectives to achieve performance, quality, and safety improvement and ensure achievement of manufacturing goals.
• Lead the continuous improvement program to deliver opportunities in cost, quality, food safety and service.
• Drive the development and execution of operational and capital budgets.
• Utilize available data including Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), line speed target, and efficiency and process data to continuously improve productivity, uptime and reliability.
• Ensure all plant personnel are operating in compliance with plant and corporate procedures as well as in compliance with all customer and governmental regulations.
• Co-ordinate manufacturing activities with all other functions of the organization and suppliers to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines and equipment.
• Conduct regular meetings with plant personnel to ensure operational issues are being communicated and addressed expediently with a common understanding of goals.
• Drive employee engagement, training and development to maximize safety, quality, and productivity.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management or Engineering and five years related experience in progressively expanding roles, including in a Senior Plant Leadership role, or equivalent Manufacturing, Processing or Packaging industry with specific experience in food production.
• Lean/Continuous Improvement experience strongly desired.
• Results-driven with a strong desire to grow and learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding targets goals.
• Minimum 5-8 years manufacturing experience preferred in plant leadership.
• Travel to other sites may periodically be required.

EEO Statement

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

About Us

At Winland Foods, we’re passionate about creating exceptional food experiences that bring people together. We are a dynamic and growing company specializing in meal preparation products—from pasta and sauces to plant-based proteins and more. Our portfolio includes beloved consumer brands and custom private-label solutions for retail and foodservice channels.

Why Work With Us?

We believe in being exceptional from the land to the table. That means: Commitment to Quality: We consistently exceed industry standards across our value chain. Sustainability & Responsibility: We prioritize environmental stewardship and make a positive impact on the world around us. People First: The safety, well-being, and growth of our employees are at the heart of everything we do.

Our Culture

We’re a team of food enthusiasts who value collaboration, innovation, and integrity. At Winland Foods, you’ll find an environment where your ideas matter, your contributions are recognized, and your career can thrive.

Explore Opportunities

At Winland Foods, you’ll find opportunities across operations, supply chain, marketing, and product development—roles where your work truly makes an impact. By joining our team, you become part of a forward-thinking organization that values passion, collaboration, and shared success with our customers. Together, we’re shaping the future of food.