CA - Plant Manager -CPG/Food Manufacturing

Plant Manager / Plant General ManagerFood/Fruit/Produce Processing, CPG PackagingLOCATION - Area just West of Bakersfield, CAThis is a strategic expansion role responsible for leading the launch, growth, and daily operations of a fruit and produce processing, production and packaging facilityDue to the agricultural nature of the products processed, the facility operates on a highly seasonal production cycle.During the off-season, the facility operates with approximately 110-125 team members on a single shift. During the peak harvest season (October to January), staffing increases to roughly double that number across multiple shifts, requiring scheduling flexibility and added availability during this time.ResponsibilitiesProduction and OperationsDirect daily operations of fruit and produce extraction and processing systems.Manage throughput, quality, yields, and overall production efficiency.Apply experience with consumer beverages and RTE product lines to maintain food-grade standards.Oversee seasonal production scaling and shift expansion during harvest months.Team LeadershipLead and develop teams ranging from 110-125 off-season employees on a single shift to double that number across multiple shifts during harvest.Build culture, training programs, and organizational development aligned with Plant General Manager responsibilities.Facility Construction and CommissioningLead or support construction, expansion, and startup of processing facilities.Oversee installation and commissioning of beverage-grade and RTE-compliant equipment.Ensure readiness for commercial operation and seasonal production surges.Maintenance ManagementOversee ( via Direction of Maintenance Management/Leaders), plant maintenance programs for facility equipment, processing systems, and fleet assets.Implement and manage CMMS systems for large asset inventories.Maintain beverage bottling, aseptic, and RTE processing equipment.Regulatory ComplianceEnsure compliance with agricultural, food-processing, environmental, transportation, and workplace safety regulations.Apply knowledge of FDA, FSMA, HACCP, and RTE or beverage-specific food safety requirements.Process ImprovementImplement continuous improvement initiatives and KPIs.Optimize production performance during both low-volume off-season operations and high-volume harvest periods.Improve beverage filling, RTE packaging, and sanitation processes.Procurement and InventoryManage procurement and inventory for equipment, chemicals, packaging, irrigation components, and industrial supplies.Support seasonal demand planning and sourcing of food-grade materials.Safety and Environmental Program leadership/stewardshipDirect safety programs and environmental compliance.Oversee sanitation, allergen control, and food safety programs.Manage training and onboarding for large seasonal workforce increases.Strategic Planning and GrowthDrive long-term operational planning and capacity modeling.Allocate resources to support expansion, seasonal production cycles, and new product commercialization.Experience Requirements:EXPERIENCE LEVEL - At least 5-8+ years progressively responsible Plant Production/Operational Leadership experience in a supervisory capacity, with a specific emphasis in FOOD PRODUCT MANUFACTURING preferably within a high-volume, industrial production/manufacturing setting.Experience in consumer beverage manufacturing and ready-to-eat (RTE) food product production is strongly desired and those with this targeted experience will be given priority consideration.Knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.Demonstrated ability to lead teams while remaining actively involved in day-to-day tasks.Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to support employees at all levels.Highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities, and consistently meet deadlines.Comfortable working in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment with shifting demands.Proven problem-solving abilities and experience managing conflict effectively.Skilled in analyzing data, reporting KPIs, and using Microsoft Office Suite and Oracle software.Creative thinker with the ability to implement improvements and drive team-based solutions.