Plant Manager

FruitSmart; Lancaster, Northern (Lancaster County, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Shank’s Extracts, LLC d/b/a Universal Ingredients – Shank’s is a premier producer of vanilla extracts and related products, seeking a Plant Manager for our Lancaster, PA facility. The role requires strong technical processing expertise in aseptic operations and a strategic leadership mindset.

The Plant Manager will drive safe, high-quality production, manage budgets and capital investments, and partner with R&D, Quality and Commercial teams to grow our coffee, tea, juice, plant-based and dairy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations or supply chain (strongly preferred).
• 12–15 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing.
• 5–7 years in senior plant or operations leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations ensuring safe, efficient aseptic manufacturing.
• Provide technical leadership for UHT/HTST processing, aseptic filling, CIP/SIP, contamination control.
• Ensure compliance with FDA/FSMA/FSSC 22000/HACCP/GMP standards.
• Serve as site leader for regulatory inspections and audits.
• Drive continuous improvement for safety, quality, yield, OEE and cost.
• Lead cross-functional teams across production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and EHS.
• Oversee validation, shelf-life studies and new product introductions.
• Manage allergen control programs in a multi-product aseptic environment.
• Own plant P&L, budgets, costs and capital investments.
• Lead capital projects and technology implementations.
• Champion EHS programs and safety culture.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality and Commercial to support growth.

Skills

Leadership

Process optimization

Food industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/operations/supply chain

Tools

Aseptic processing equipment

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Active Full Time Management Lancaster, PA, US

Shank’s Extracts, LLC d/b/a Universal Ingredients – Shank’s is a premier manufacturer of vanilla extracts, other extracts, natural and artificial flavors, food colors, syrups, and sauces. Shank’s quality products are widely distributed to industrial, private-label, and grocery customers worldwide. We have an immediate opening for a 2nd Shift Machine Operator

Available Immediately Upon Hire: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, EAP, ID Theft, 401K, and PTO.

Disclaimer: Shank’s Extracts manufactures various products that identify as major food allergens (milk, eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans) as well as several other food ingredients. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to skin and/or odor contact with these various ingredients. Your health and safety are our number one priority, and we will do our best to accommodate within reason.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

The Plant Manager leads and oversees a food and beverage manufacturing facility specializing in aseptic processing coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products. This role requires strong technical processing expertise and 12–15 years of experience in aseptic food and beverage operations. The Plant Manager is responsible for safe, high-quality, compliant, and efficient production, while driving continuous improvement, cost control, and operational excellence. As a strategic leader, the role focuses on improving processes, ensuring strong operational performance, delivering excellent customer service, and building a positive culture that develops employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead all plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant aseptic manufacturing.
• Provide technical leadership for UHT/HTST processing, aseptic filling, CIP/SIP, contamination control, and hygienic design.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FDA, FSMA, FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP).
• Serve as site leader for regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and customer audits.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, yield, OEE, and cost performance.
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams across production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and EHS.
• Oversee process validation, aseptic qualifications, shelf-life studies, and new product introductions.
• Manage allergen control programs in a multi-product aseptic environment.
• Own plant P&L, budgets, operating costs, and capital investments.
• Lead capital projects including aseptic line expansions, equipment upgrades, and technology implementation.
• Champion EHS programs and foster a strong safety and food safety culture.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams to support growth in coffee, tea, juice, plant-based, acidified dairy, and nutritional products.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and long-term operational excellence.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations or supply chain, chemical engineering highly preferred.
• 12–15 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing.
• 5–7 years of senior plant or operations leadership experience.
• Prior experience in the high-speed manufacturing industry is preferred
• In-depth knowledge of production management, operations, risk management, and food safety regulations is strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with coffees/teas, juice & other plant-based, acidified dairy and nutritional products.

PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of UHT, aseptic filling, and hygienic design.
• Experience with allergen control and nutritional formulations.
• Lean / Six Sigma / TPM certification preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and business acumen.
• Proven experience as an operations change agent within a manufacturing facility.

PERSONAL TRAITS

• An enthusiastic leader displaying a passion for the product and for the continuous improvement of our manufacturing processes.
• Strong, executive leadership skills, exhibiting decisiveness and execution skills, yet capable of effective listening, and when needed, able to compromise.
• Coaching and people skills that embrace the value and challenges of a diverse management team and work force and personally driven to lead the team to realize their full potential.
• A genuine respect for the lives and accomplishments of employees.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.