Plant Operations Manager

KCG Search; Brookshire (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Plant Operations Manager for a small yet fast-growing manufacturer in Brookshire, Texas. In this hands-on leadership role, you will oversee daily operations, ensuring efficiency and quality in production. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a solid understanding of Lean Manufacturing practices. This full-time position emphasizes safety, team management, and continuous improvement to support growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations.
• At least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven success in a food, beverage, or nutraceutical production environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop production schedules based on customer demand and resources.
• Oversee supervisors and ensure team training and motivation.
• Champion a zero‑incident safety culture aligned with standards.

Skills

Computer Skills (ERP systems and Microsoft Excel proficiency)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related field

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

Base pay range

$110,000.00/yr - $125,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from KCG Search

Managing Partner, KCG Search | Building Teams | Advancing Careers | Elevating Companies

Our client, a small but fast-growing contract manufacturer serving the tea and nutraceutical industries is seeking a Plant Operations Manager. As Plant Operations Manager, you’ll play a key leadership role in scaling our operations, developing our people, and strengthening our culture of excellence and continuous improvement. If you thrive in a hands‑on environment where leadership, communication, and data‑driven decisions make a real impact — we’d love to meet you.

The Plant Manager oversees all aspects of daily manufacturing operations — particularly blending and packaging — ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role emphasizes leadership, communication, and quantitative decision‑making. The ideal candidate builds strong teams, implements Lean Manufacturing practices, and fosters a culture of accountability, safety, and growth. This is a hands‑on leadership position that requires both operational excellence and strategic vision to support continued expansion.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning and Scheduling
   • Develop production schedules based on customer demand, manpower, resource availability, and capacity.
   • Ensure operations run smoothly and production deadlines are consistently met.
2. Managing Production Teams (Blending and Packing)
   • Oversee supervisors, machine operators, and assembly line workers.
   • Ensure staff are trained, motivated, and working efficiently to meet targets.
   • Implement and sustain visual management and daily accountability systems that reinforce performance discipline.
3. Maintaining High Quality Assurance Standards
   • Ensure all workers are trained in basic SOPs and product specifications.
   • Maintain adherence to all quality and safety standards in finished products.
4. Ensuring Workplace Safety
   • Champion a zero‑incident safety culture aligned with GMP, HACCP, SQF, and OSHA standards.
   • Enforce safety protocols and create a safe working environment to prevent incidents and hazards.
   • Drive measurable improvements in throughput, yield, and labor efficiency using Lean Manufacturing and data‑driven performance metrics.
   • Establish, monitor, and continuously improve KPIs for productivity, quality, and cost reduction.
   • Develop and maintain effective capacity planning to optimize labor, equipment, and material utilization.
5. Cost Management and Budgeting
   • Be fully accountable for plant operating budgets, including cost control, margin improvement, and capital planning.
   • Manage resources effectively, minimize waste, and ensure operations remain within budgeted cost parameters.
6. Inventory Management and ERP Utilization
   • Utilize NetSuite ERP systems and data analytics to improve scheduling, identify bottlenecks, and enhance operational visibility.
   • Maintain accurate inventory tracking and reporting.
7. Equipment Management
   • Ensure operators properly run and maintain equipment.
   • Coordinate with the Maintenance team to ensure regular preventive maintenance (PMs) and timely service or repair to minimize downtime.
8. Reporting and Performance Analysis
   • Monitor KPIs, analyze production data, and prepare reports for management to inform decision‑making.
9. Collaboration with Other Departments
   • Work closely with Engineering, Quality, R&D, Warehouse, Sales, and Supply Chain to align production with customer priorities and delivery goals.
   • Lead and support new product introductions and commercialization in collaboration with R&D, Quality, and Sales.
   • Lead or participate in facility expansion, automation, and process modernization projects to support company growth.
   • Promote a proactive, problem‑solving environment where teamwork and communication drive operational excellence.

Skills Needed

• Computer Skills (ERP systems and Microsoft Excel proficiency)

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven success leading teams in a food, beverage, or nutraceutical production environment.
• Strong understanding and hands‑on implementation of Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
• Deep working knowledge of process improvement tools such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, or 5S.
• Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and being accountable for operating budgets.
• Knowledge of capacity planning and ability to align schedules and resources with business demand.
• Experience implementing data‑driven management systems and using ERP or MES dashboards for performance tracking.
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective cross‑departmental and remote coordination.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications / Nice‑to‑Haves

• Experience building and scaling teams in a growing manufacturing environment.
• Experience with beverage or nutraceutical manufacturing processes (not bottling).
• Background in performance evaluation, budgeting, and cost analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop future leaders.
• Strong “outward mindset” — balancing personal performance with the success of the broader team.
• Exposure to agricultural, mechanical, or farm‑based work environments (valued for practical problem‑solving skills).
• Experience with OEE improvement, automation, or continuous improvement projects.

This is an on‑site position only; remote work is not available.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Manufacturing

Industries

Food and Beverage Manufacturing

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