Job Description

Plant Manager

New Orleans, LA

The Plant Manager oversees all phases of plant operations, including production, quality assurance, maintenance, receiving, and shipping. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality manufacturing while driving productivity and profitability. Additional responsibilities include supporting recruitment, hiring, and training initiatives; managing facility upkeep and capital improvements; and leading annual budget planning and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for the daily operations of the facility.

• Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure product consistency, monitor yields, and identify trends for process improvements.

• Review and manage production schedules to maintain target inventory levels while achieving maximum operational efficiency.

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of manufacturing personnel.

• Monitor operational expenses, identifying opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality.

• Champion safety initiatives and maintain a culture of safety in partnership with Human Resources, ensuring compliance with all safety policies and best practices.

• Maintain a superior housekeeping and safety program, including timely reporting (e.g., accident reports within 1 hour, daily injury-free tracking, TIR updates).

• Develop, manage, and execute plant manufacturing budgets.

• Assess workforce needs, conduct performance evaluations, and provide coaching and guidance to team members.

• Foster a continuous improvement mindset throughout all operations.

• Identify and remove production bottlenecks; allocate resources effectively to meet operational goals.

• Eliminate waste and inefficiencies to enhance productivity.

• Collaborate with Purchasing to strengthen supplier relationships and improve procurement processes.

• Oversee and maintain plant security systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• 5+ year’s progressive experience in a key leadership / management role at a manufacturing facility.
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience with operations management in a food plant.
• Ability to create a team environment and collaboration up and down the organization. SQF certification and Food processing experience in a USDA plant.
• Previous experience / strong understanding of budgeting / expense management with a basic understanding of financial and accounting practices.
• Strong computer skills including the ability to prepare spreadsheets and use Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and / or Access) to analyze data and trends.
• Previous experience best practices implementing and using continuous improvement / lean tools such as Six Sigma, 5-S, Lean Manufacturing, Transactional Lean, etc. to drive improvement.
• Previous experience broad understanding of safety systems and enforcement of safety rules and policies.
• Demonstrated strong leadership, team building and advanced coaching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate people, assess and develop employee skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and applications associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance and engineering.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, with the ability to balance production and maintenance needs.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and listening ability.
• A strong ability to be adaptable and flexible.
• Strong analytical and decision making skills.
• Ability to work with teams and lead decision making processes in a team environment.
• Highly motivated, results oriented, driven.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Business / Finance / Management / Operations or other related field.

HACCP Certification

Additional Comments:

Preferred qualifications: Six Sigma, Green Belt or Black Belt certification, lean manufacturing principle implementation.

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