Plant Manager

GFF Career Page; Manteno (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GFF is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the City of Industry facility, overseeing manufacturing, maintenance and facilities, and ensuring regulatory compliance and product quality. You will collaborate with QA/R&D, HR, Sales, and Finance to meet safety, quality and financial targets.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage budgets, and mentor a leadership team while ensuring efficient production, safety and data integrity across systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a related field; MBA a plus.
• 7–10 years of operations management experience in food industry.
• 3–5 years in Plant Management or Production Manager roles in large company.
• 2–3 years overseeing Plant Maintenance & Engineering functions.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and complex, schedule-driven projects.
• Able to adapt quickly to changing demands and high-pressure situations.
• Experience in fast-paced plant operations with short shelf life products.
• Strong analytical skills with problem-solving and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent verbal, listening, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• English/Spanish bilingual is a big plus.
• Willingness to work various shifts, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement for productivity, quality, safety and customer service.
• Develop and manage budgets for labor, materials and overhead including capital expenditures.
• Monitor production to ensure procedures, specs and budgets are met.
• Set goals, metrics and feedback for ongoing improvements.
• Maintain workflow through planning and organized execution.
• Ensure profitability through cost control of expenses and yields.
• Oversee systems (ERP, payroll, training, evaluations) data accuracy.
• Develop hands-on understanding of dressings and condiments production.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

MS Office proficiency

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

B.A./B.S. in Business, Engineering, or Food Science; MBA a plus

Tools

Ross ERP

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Plant Manager This is a salaried position that reports to the VP of Operations, HACO US in the City of Industry. The Plant Manager is responsible for the manufacturing, maintenance, facilities functions and regulatory compliance of the City of Industry plant and includes developing and leading the people and processes in the areas of production, facility maintenance and execution of capital projects. Key partners in this role will be the VP QA/R&D to ensure food safety and product quality, the HR Manager to ensure the safety and welfare of the team, and the Sales team to meet customer needs, and the Controller to develop and achieve the financial targets.

SCOPE OF JOB FUNCTION

• Lead the continuous improvement efforts for productivity, product quality, customer service and safety ensuring company goals are met by overseeing the manufacturing and facilities operations and personnel.
• Develop and manage the manufacturing, maintenance and facilities budgets for labor, material, and overhead including capital expenditures associated with the short and long-term strategies of the Company.
• Monitor all phases of production to ensure that all procedures, specifications standards and budgets are met by maintaining effective communication with all employees
• Develop and use goals, appropriate metrics and feedback mechanisms to monitor and lead continuous improvement efforts
• Maintain even flow of work by being organized and planning, adjusting and making changes as needed
• Ensure that financial objectives are met for budgetary control of all expenses including yield, labor, overtime, operating supplies and facilities expenses
• Ensure that all administrative systems (including Ross ERP, payroll, employee training, performance evaluations, etc.) are fully supported with accurate, timely and complete data entry
• Develop a hands-on, working understanding of the technologies and processes for making dressings and condiments
• Keep up to date and on the leading edge of technologies and innovations in the industry
• Identify, justify and implement new manufacturing technologies to enhance quality and drive down costs and support strategic direction for future product and process improvements within manufacturing
• Mentor and coach managers, supervisors and employees for success and encourage the leaders to mentor and develop all personnel.
• Oversee the leadership team by monitoring efficiencies, conducting reviews, counseling sessions, evaluations and by keeping up to date records
• Ensure proper processing of product by monitoring all operations, including production, packaging, maintenance, etc., as well as equipment, cleanliness and personnel
• Monitor and administer IFS and HACCP programs, insisting on accurate, complete and timely compliance
• Ensure profitability of processing department by working with R&D to formulate products for quality and least cost maintaining high yields and minimum waste
• Lead the plant safety initiative by insisting on a clean safe working environment, and that all employees are following prescribed safety procedures, including personal protective equipment.
• Working with the support of the Human Resources Manager, manage GFF's safety program ensuring compliance within OSHA regulations
• Challenges the whole team to find creative solutions to challenges by facilitating an environment which exhibits a can do attitude for innovation and meeting objectives
• Provide development/mentoring for team members by serving as a positive leadership role model

Requirements

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:

• B.A./B.S. from a four-year College or University in related field (Business, Engineering, Food Science; MBA Degree a plus
• Minimum 7-10 years of operations management experience required in the food industry
• 3-5 years in a Plant Management role or as Production Manager in a large company environment
• 2-3 years direct experience overseeing Plant Maintenance & Engineering functions
• Solid background of managing complex, schedule-driven projects through leadership of cross-functional diverse teams
• Be able to respond quickly to changing demands and priority, and demonstrate adaptability in stressful situations
• Experience managing in a fast-paced plant operation in short shelf life product segment serving premier customers who hold high standards for service and quality
• Work independently to analyze processes, identify problems and deliver solutions
• Effective verbal, listening, written and interpersonal communications skills
• Computer literate and proficient with MS Office suite of applications
• Be able to work various shifts, weekends and holidays as require
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish a big plus

DESIRED:

• Experience trainer, moderator, and facilitator in group settings