Plant Operations Manager

Sterling Engineering; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking an experienced Plant Supervisor to lead daily manufacturing operations in a high-volume facility in Illinois. The role oversees Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Sanitation to ensure safety, product quality, and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate has a hands-on leadership style with a proven track record in food manufacturing and a commitment to developing people and driving continuous improvement. This onsite role emphasizes accountability and safety.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience within food or beverage manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, cross-functional manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Proven success in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments to achieve operational goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support daily operations across Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams.
• Manage and develop a workforce of approximately 50–60 employees, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Promote compliance with food safety programs, GMPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve quality concerns, minimize equipment downtime, and maintain production readiness.
• Monitor operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, labor utilization, and overall plant performance.
• Drive a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Support initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, and operational excellence.

Skills

Food manufacturing leadership

GMPs & food safety regulations

Leadership of large teams

Job description

Must have Skill Set

• Food manufacturing leadership experience
• Knowledge of GMPs and food safety regulations
• Experience leading large manufacturing teams

Overview

A growing food manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Plant Supervisor to lead daily manufacturing activities within a high-volume production facility. This role oversees multiple operational functions, including Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Sanitation, ensuring safety, product quality, operational efficiency, and team performance. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with a strong background in food manufacturing and a passion for developing people and driving continuous improvement.

Job Duties

• Lead and support daily operations across Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams.
• Manage and develop a workforce of approximately 50–60 employees, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Promote compliance with food safety programs, GMPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve quality concerns, minimize equipment downtime, and maintain production readiness.
• Monitor operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, labor utilization, and overall plant performance.
• Drive a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Support initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience within food or beverage manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, cross-functional manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Proven success in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments to achieve operational goals.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.