Plant Operations Leader: Lean, Safety & Growth

Global Search Network; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Search Network seeks a Plant Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations, driving a safety-first and continuous-improvement culture. You will balance operational efficiency with cost control, delivering reliable customer service and aligning site performance with corporate strategy.

You will champion employee development, lead sustainability and capacity planning, and report on KPIs and capital plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, food science, manufacturing or related technical field.
• 8+ years of progressive food manufacturing leadership in a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to lead multi-department teams and mentor talent.
• Strong background in production logistics, scheduling, GMP systems; APICS/Lean/Six Sigma certs.
• Excellent change management and cost-focused execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead site safety, food safety and quality initiatives with regulatory compliance.
• Own capacity planning and S&OP; balance schedules with customer requirements.
• Develop, coach, and mentor staff; drive performance reviews and succession planning.
• Track KPIs and drive corrective actions for performance gaps.
• Oversee OpEx/CapEx planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion sustainability and lean process optimization.

Skills

Leadership experience

Safety & quality

Lean Six Sigma

Production scheduling

Regulatory compliance

Certifications: APICS/Lean/Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering-related field

Job description

Global Search Network seeks a Plant Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations, driving a safety-first and continuous-improvement culture. You will balance operational efficiency with cost control, delivering reliable customer service and aligning site performance with corporate strategy.

You will champion employee development, lead sustainability and capacity planning, and report on KPIs and capital plans.