Plant Manager-Industrial Bakery

Ohio Ag Connection; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Disability & Life Insurance

401K with match

Paid Vacation

Employee events & lunches

Development opportunities

Job summary

New Horizons Baking Company is seeking a Plant Manager for our Columbus facility. You will lead all manufacturing operations, drive Lean processes, manage budgets, and ensure food safety compliance while guiding a high-performance team.

The role requires 5-10 years in Plant Management with supervisory experience, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and strong leadership, communication, and financial acumen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Food Science, Engineering, Science, or similar.
• 5-10 years’ experience in Plant Management and supervisory roles with increasing responsibility.
• Knowledge of Food Safety, Safety Programs/Systems (HACCP, GMPs), sanitation, and maintenance.
• Proven success in continuous improvement initiatives and Lean Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations to meet vision, direction, and KPIs.
• Develop and implement manufacturing strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee budgeting, investments, and annual operating plan.
• Drive Lean manufacturing practices and daily management processes.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (OSHA, FDA, SQF, HACCP).
• Mentor managers and supervisors to build capability and succession.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

P&L Responsibility

Budgeting

Communication

MS Office

ERP systems

Food Safety

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Business / Engineering / Food Science)

Tools

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Plant Manager
Location: Columbus, OH
Company: New Horizons Baking Company

About New Horizons:

New Horizons Baking Company has been proudly baking since 1967, producing ready-to-eat hamburger buns, English muffins, and other bakery products for some of the most recognized brands in the industry. Today, we serve more than 2,000 quick-service restaurants across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Western Pennsylvania, in addition to national retail and sandwich customers.

Columbus, Ohio bakery represents an exciting chapter in our continued growth. Operational for over a year, the facility features abrand-new, state-of-the-art high-speed bun line and a new pancake production line, bringing advanced equipment, technology, and expanded capabilities to our manufacturing network.

As we continue to grow our Columbus operation, we are looking for talented individuals who want the opportunity tohelp shape the future of a growing facility. Our team members thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative manufacturing environment where they can solve problems, take ownership, and make a meaningful impact.

At New Horizons Baking Company, we value the different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives our team members bring to the table. If you enjoy being challenged, working as part of a team, and contributing to an operation that continues to evolve and grow,we'd love to have you join our Columbus team!

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000-$150,000 (BOE)

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, company paid Dental and Vision, Disability and Life Insurance, 401K with match, and paid Vacation.

Additional benefits include:

• Employee appreciation lunches and events
• Opportunities for development and job advancement

Job Summary

The Plant Manager's responsibility is to provide leadership to all departments for overall vision and direction of the plant by way of guidance, direction, encouragement, training, and development. Also, developing, and coaching managers and supervisors to excel to the peak of their performance levels. This position is responsible for establishing and implementing manufacturing strategy that aligns with business strategy, developing justification and obtaining authorization for investments, development of the annual operating plan, attainment of cost objectives and driving process reliability for increased capacity and improved performance. In addition to directing all managerial personnel to manage their departments and functional areas to meet the manufacturing plant’s operational and financial objectives while supporting the values, mission, vision, and priorities of New Horizon Baking Company (NHBC).

The Plant Manager will foster our corporate values of?Character,?Community, and?Commitment.?

• Full responsibility for the complete operation of the manufacturing facility.
• Ensures safe, efficient operation of the plant within the guidelines established by NHBC and all governmental laws and regulations to include all food safety programs and auditing processes.
• Utilize Lean concepts in the development of a problem-solving culture and teach associates how to identify and eradicate waste, complete root cause analysis to drive daily continuous improvement.
• Help drive and implement necessary training and procedures ensuring compliance with various government regulations including OSHA, FDA, SQF, HACCP, etc.
• Plans capital projects, long range strategic planning, and succession planning.
• Promotes Lean Manufacturing concepts and leads the plant with NHBC vision; is open to and promotes change to continually improve and enhance the facility and workforce to stay ahead of the competition.
• Set expectations for operation excellence and Right First Time (RFT) execution.
• Ensures ethical behavior in all aspects of managing the facility and its material and human resources.
• Continue to grow efforts on sustainability and zero waste
• Manage work priorities and timelines and allocate resources to assure assigned plant goals and timelines are met. This includes planning production operations and establishing priorities and sequences for manufacturing products.
• Mentors, guides, and coaches’ direct reports to expand their capabilities and build knowledge and technological depth within the organization, and to help ensure business continuity.
• Lead and develop a strong daily management process with the factory team to deliver on operational KPIs and business financials. Lead, coach, and train employees toward Lean manufacturing concepts and foster an environment for an empowered, high-performance plant.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Food Science, Engineering, Science, or similar academic disciplines.
• 5-10 years’ experience at the Plant Management position and 5-10 years in a supervisory and/or management position with progressively more responsible positions.
• Knowledge of Food Safety, Safety Programs/Systems HAACP, GMPs etc. Sanitation and Plant Maintenance and Continuous Improvement such as Lean Manufacturing would be definite assets.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience working/scheduling in a high volume / high mix environment. Food (baking) process experience preferred.
• Must have had roles with P&L responsibility and must have working knowledge of budgets and financial statements.
• Highly motivated, hands-on, results driven, forward thinking professional who can thrive in a team-oriented environment
• Collaborate across business functions to achieve site and business objectives.
• Ability to instill a positive team environment. Must be able to communicate comfortably with the shop floor as well as members of the executive team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and cultural sensitivity required.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and technical skills
• Proficiency with MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ERP systems, and ability to learn new technologies

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Customer product scoring.
• New Product Development and processes
• Point for communication with the Union
• Actively participate in contract negotiations and grievance settlements
• Attend monthly county safety council meetings, if applicable
• Annual performance reviews of direct reports
• Prepare and explain annual budget for approval
• Look for and suggest ideas for cost effectiveness

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature?and level, or work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed and as assigned by supervision.

New Horizons is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.