Plant Manager: Growth, Transformation & Expansion

Michael Page; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Life and AD&D Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Job summary

Michael Page, on behalf of a growing food manufacturing client, seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a key production facility in Illinois. This role offers scope to shape plant culture, drive operational excellence, and guide a facility transformation and expansion.

You will lead day-to-day operations, mentor leadership teams, and own budgets, labor, and productivity while ensuring food safety and quality programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of food manufacturing leadership experience.
• Prior Plant Manager or senior operations leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing production and maintenance functions.
• Demonstrated success leading change, turnaround, growth, or expansion initiatives.
• Strong communication, coaching, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
• Develop and mentor plant leadership teams.
• Manage budgets, labor, productivity, and operating costs.
• Support facility growth, expansion, and capital projects.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, quality, and safety programs.
• Improve operational processes, inventory flow, and plant performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and employee development.

Skills

Leadership

Plant management

Operational excellence

Budget management

Change leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field

Job description

Michael Page, on behalf of a growing food manufacturing client, seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a key production facility in Illinois. This role offers scope to shape plant culture, drive operational excellence, and guide a facility transformation and expansion.

You will lead day-to-day operations, mentor leadership teams, and own budgets, labor, and productivity while ensuring food safety and quality programs.