Plant Manager

Nero Search; Michigan; On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Nero Search is seeking a Plant Manager for a high-volume food manufacturing facility in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience, focusing on driving efficiency and quality in operations, and must be passionate about shaping a positive workplace culture. This role emphasizes compliance with food safety standards and fostering team engagement through continuous improvement, with a competitive salary range of $160,000 to $200,000 per year.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Relocation allowance

Qualifications

• 7+ years in food manufacturing leadership, 5+ years in plant management.
• Deep understanding of food safety systems (FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF).
• Proven success in driving efficiencies and large team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of a high-volume food manufacturing facility.
• Drive performance and quality control, ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
• Implement Lean and Six Sigma processes to improve efficiencies.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Communication

Continuous Improvement

Compliance Standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business or Operations Management

Job description

This range is provided by Nero Search. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$160,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Nero Search

Executive & Professional Search I Partner to Private Equity Portfolio & SME Private Companies I Finance Operations Sales Leadership

MUST RELOCATE TO MICHIGAN - A SUCCESSFUL OFFER WILL COME WITH A CASH RELOCATION ALLOWANCE

The Plant Manager is a hands-on leaderwho thrives in a fast-paced environment, is energized by continuous improvement, and wants to leave their mark by building and shaping systems, not just operating within existing ones!

This is a chance to lead a high-volume food manufacturing facility where culture and ownership matter just as much as process and results.

Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Plant & QC Manager will oversee operations, quality control, and safety—driving performance, building systems, and inspiring teams to deliver consistent, high-quality products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead daily plant operations; manage a 300+ person workforce in a high-speed food manufacturing environment.
• Drive operational performance; oversee plant efficiency, quality, and cost control while ensuring compliance with food safety standards; manage budgets, leverage KPIs for data-driven improvements, and equip direct reports with financial insights to align daily execution with strategic goals.
• Develop and lead teams; engage and hold accountable both operations and quality staff, fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Ensure regulatory compliance; uphold FDA, USDA, SQF, HACCP, and OSHA standards across all plant functions.
• Oversee sanitation and allergen control; implement and verify sanitation protocols, including pre-op inspections.
• Own quality systems; lead complaint investigations, corrective actions, and long-term product improvements.
• Implement process improvements; apply Lean, Six Sigma, and KPI tracking to streamline operations and reduce costs.
• Support innovation and launches; partner with R&D and cross-functional teams to validate new products and technologies.
• Champion safety culture; conduct audits, lead training, and ensure visible, proactive leadership.
• Build leadership bench strength; hire, coach, and develop talent to ensure long-term operational success.
• Shape plant systems and culture; play an active role in building new processes and instilling a strong sense of team ownership.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, including 5+ years in plant management.
• Deep understanding of food safety systems and audit preparedness (FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF).
• Proven success in driving efficiency, reducing costs, and managing complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong communicator with demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams.
• Comfortable in a hands-on, build-it environment, not just managing, but shaping and improving systems.
• Passionate about people, culture, and accountability - not just results.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Manufacturing, Production, and Distribution

• Industries

  Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Wholesale Food and Beverage

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Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

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