Plant Manager

Talent Wave Associates; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Wave Associates is seeking a seasoned Plant Manager to lead a food manufacturing facility in Kentucky. You will drive operational excellence, optimize processes, and implement KPIs to create a culture of accountability.

You will lead a hands-on team, ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, and partner with cross-functional teams to scale operations as the facility grows.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Plant Manager or senior operations leader.
• Experience building structures, processes, and performance tracking systems in high-growth environments.
• Strong analytical skills to identify root causes and drive measurable improvements.
• Hands-on leadership style with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and developing talent.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, scaling environments.
• Solid understanding of food safety, quality systems, and manufacturing best practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production, packaging, maintenance, quality, and safety.
• Establish and refine processes and systems in a rapidly growing facility.
• Develop and implement KPIs to enhance visibility, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze operational data to identify gaps and recommend efficiency improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime and support growth.
• Build and develop a high-performing plant team, fostering ownership and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality and regulatory standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, cost control, and operational excellence.
• Be a hands‑on leader, actively engaging with the team on the production floor.

Skills

Plant management

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

Process improvement

Hands-on leadership

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Team development

Job description

Are you ready to lead a dynamic and fast-growing food manufacturing facility, driving operational excellence and innovation?

About the Role

This position is crucial for overseeing the operations of a food manufacturing plant, ensuring efficiency and compliance with industry standards. The role focuses on optimizing processes, developing key performance indicators, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee plant operations including production, packaging, maintenance, quality, and safety.
• Establish and refine processes and systems in a rapidly growing facility.
• Develop and implement KPIs to enhance visibility, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze operational data to identify gaps and recommend efficiency improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime and support growth.
• Build and develop a high-performing plant team, fostering a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, cost control, and operational excellence.
• Be a hands‑on leader, actively engaging with the team on the production floor.

Minimum Requirements

• Proven experience as a Plant Manager or senior operations leader in manufacturing.
• Experience in building structures, processes, and performance tracking systems in high‑growth environments.
• Strong analytical skills to identify root causes and drive measurable improvements.
• A hands‑on leadership style with a practical, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and developing talent.
• The ability to thrive in fast‑paced, scaling environments.
• A solid understanding of food safety, quality systems, and manufacturing best practices.

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive, people-first recruiting experience.