Plant Ops Leader – Food Manufacturing & Lean

KENT WORLDWIDE; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k

Job summary

KENT Worldwide is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager to oversee daily operations at its Bolingbrook, IL facility. You will drive production schedules, lead Production Supervisors, ensure safety and quality, and collaborate with QA, maintenance, and procurement to meet cost and performance targets.

The role is salaried with a comprehensive benefits package and reports to the Plant Manager. A strong background in GMP/HACCP, plus leadership experience in food manufacturing, is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, preferably in dry blending or powder-based production.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, including managing Production Supervisors.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficient in ERP systems (AX/D365) and Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate all aspects of the production process, ensuring timely and accurate execution of production schedules.
• Supervise and support Production and Sanitation Supervisors and their teams; provide coaching and development.
• Collaborate with Quality teams to ensure products meet safety and quality standards.
• Identify lean manufacturing improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Maintain production records, generate reports, and participate in audits and inspections.
• Monitor material usage and coordinate with procurement to avoid overstocking.
• Coordinate plant shutdowns with maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, GMP standards.
• Stay informed on operations management trends and technologies.
• Assist with recruiting and onboarding new department members.
• Identify training needs and ensure delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

5+ years in food/beverage manufacturing

Tools

Microsoft AX

D365

MS Office

Job description

KENT Worldwide is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager to oversee daily operations at its Bolingbrook, IL facility. You will drive production schedules, lead Production Supervisors, ensure safety and quality, and collaborate with QA, maintenance, and procurement to meet cost and performance targets.

The role is salaried with a comprehensive benefits package and reports to the Plant Manager. A strong background in GMP/HACCP, plus leadership experience in food manufacturing, is essential.