Plant Manager

*THIS IS NOT A JOB WITH CONSUMER CONNECTION*Why Join: This is a chance to make a tangible impact at a growing food manufacturing organization, shape the future of a new facility, and lead a high-performing team committed to excellence.Our CPG food client is seeking an experienced Plant Manager / General Manager to lead daily operations at a new, state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility. This is a rare opportunity to shape operational strategy and drive growth and profitability for a rapidly scaling CPG (consumer packaged goods) company.The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, strategic plant leader with deep experience in food production, food safety compliance, and continuous improvement. You will oversee all aspects of manufacturing, quality, safety, supply chain, and team leadership while delivering operational excellence and supporting long-term business goals.Key Responsibilities:Leadership & Team DevelopmentProvide strategic and day-to-day leadership across production, quality assurance, maintenance, sanitation, warehousing, and fulfillment.Recruit, train, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.Set clear goals and performance metrics aligned with company objectives.Operations & Process OptimizationOversee all plant operations to meet production targets, cost goals, and service levels.Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor efficiency, productivity, and quality.Drive lean manufacturing, 5S, and other continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce waste.Ensure effective preventive maintenance and sanitation programs to maintain high product integrity and minimize downtime.Food Safety, Quality & ComplianceServe as SQF Practitioner and active member of the HACCP team.Ensure compliance with SQF, GFSI, GMP, HACCP, and all relevant food safety regulations.Partner with QA to manage deviations, implement CAPAs, and uphold quality standards.Champion a strong food safety culture across the organization.Health, Safety & RegulatoryLead initiatives to ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, and other regulatory requirements.Strengthen plant safety programs to support an incident-free workplace.Promote programs focused on employee health, wellness, and engagement.Financial & Strategic ImpactCollaborate on annual operating budgets and manage costs related to labor, materials, maintenance, and utilities.Identify and execute opportunities for cost reduction, yield improvement, and labor optimization.Partner with senior leadership to align operations with strategic growth objectives and long-term business plans.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field required.7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing; background in dairy, fats, or oils processing is highly preferred.Proven success managing SQF- or GFSI-certified facilities and leading HACCP programs.Strong understanding of food processing operations, sanitation, GMPs, and regulatory compliance.Demonstrated ability to improve processes, manage KPIs, and drive operational efficiency.Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills.Comfortable leading in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and building a positive, performance-driven culture.