Plant Manager (Pet Food Ingredients)

Farmers-Union-Industries; Waite Park (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Job summary

Farmers Union Industries, LLC, owner of Northland Choice, operates a pet food ingredient plant in Waite Park, MN. The Plant Manager will lead daily operations, quality, and employee development while reporting to the Director of Rendering Operations.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of supervisory experience in pet food or related industries, strong leadership and analytical skills, and the ability to manage budgets, schedules, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in operations management, business, or animal/food science.
• 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership with supervision.
• Experience in pet food, meat processing, rendering, refrigerated ingredients, or other regulated food-manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, communication, and employee-development skills.
• Proficiency with manufacturing systems and standard business software (MS Office).
• Ability to communicate professionally with managers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily operations of Northland Choice’s pet food ingredient plant (74).
• Develop and implement strategies aligned with company goals and growth.
• Manage operational budgets and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Ensure product quality, throughput, yield, and on-time delivery, collaborating with internal teams.
• Coordinate with procurement, sales, quality, transportation, and customer service.
• Oversee sanitation programs, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance.

Job description

Farmers Union Industries, LLC, also known as FUI, is a leading agricultural-based manufacturing company headquartered in Redwood Falls, MN. Our current operations include Central Bi-Products, Northland Choice, Midwest Grease, Artex Manufacturing, Redwood Farms Meat Processors, and Performance Pet Products. Please visit our website at fuillc.com/ to learn more!Our Northland Choice facility in Waite Park, MN is one of three locations that manufactures frozen and fresh-chilled poultry protein-based pet food ingredients. Learn more about us here: Northland Choice - Farmers Union IndustriesNorthland Choice is hiring for a Plant Manager at our Waite Park facility. This leadership role will report to our Director of Rendering Operations and own operations, quality, and employee development for this location. The ideal candidate would have at least 5 years of supervisory experience in pet food, meat processing, rendering, refrigerated ingredients, or another regulated food-manufacturing environment. We offer a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, an impressive 401K match and more!ScheduleMonday to Friday, 7:00am-4:00pmSchedule may vary based on workload and after-hours phone calls; willingness to work 2nd, 3rd, and/or weekend hours as business needs arise, requiredAreas of AccountabilityAll areas of accountability to be delivered with GRIT - our values of Generosity, Relationships, Integrity, and TeamworkLeadership, Management, and Accountability Employee DevelopmentOperational Budget and P&L Quality and Production StandardsContinuous Improvement & Strategy On-Site Regulatory ComplianceEssential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDirect and oversee the daily operations of Northland Choice’s pet food ingredient plant (74); including receiving, grinding, blending, packaging, storage, inventory, shipping, sanitation, and maintenance initiativesDevelop and implement strategies that align with company goals and growth initiativesDevelop and manage operational budgets; identify ways to reduce costs and improve marginsOwn consistent product quality, throughput, yield, freshness, and on-time delivery, collaborating with internal FUI resourcesEstablish production priorities and staffing plans based on customer orders, raw-material availability, product shelf life, equipment capacity, and delivery schedulesMonitor operating performance and take corrective action when results fall below established targetsCoordinate closely with procurement, sales, quality, transportation, and customer-service teamsPromote a strong culture in which food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance are shared responsibilitiesEnsure compliance with FDA/USDA requirements and regulationsSupport accurate lot control, inventory identification, recordkeeping, and mock-recall exerciseEnsure compliance with OSHA and applicable environmental, waste-management, wastewater, and permitting requirementsManages sanitation programs for production equipment, storage areas, docks, drains, coolers and freezers and employee areasEnsure cleaning procedures, chemical areas, verification activities, and pre-operational inspections are properly completed and documentedEquipment management, including preventive maintenance, equipment up time, root cause analysisAssist with recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees and developing personal growth opportunitiesMaintain safe and healthy work environment by enforcing safety and health policies and proceduresMaintain regular and predictable on-site attendanceTravel less than 10%, annuallySituations may arise that require employees to temporarily or permanently assume responsibility for tasks not specifically outlined in this job description. Employees may be requested to work additional hours and/or accommodate a heavier than normal workload.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in operations management, business, or animal/food science; or equivalent relevant experience, preferred5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience, including supervision, and cross-functional plant teams.Experience in pet food, meat processing, rendering, refrigerated ingredients, or another regulated food-manufacturing environment.Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, communication, and employee-development skills.Proficiency with manufacturing systems, production reporting, inventory systems, and standard business software.Ability to communicate professionally and strategically with managers, directors, or other stakeholders verbally or in writingProficient with technology and the Microsoft Office SuiteHigh level of organization, proficiency, accuracy, discretion, and confidentialityStrong sense of initiative and independent problem-solving with the ability to manage time and deadlines with little supervisionAbility to attain and/or maintain a standard driver’s licensePhysical RequirementsPerform desk work (sitting or standing) for up to 100% of workdayRepetitively use wrist, hand, and/or fingers