Job Details

A day in the life…

As the Plant Director, you will be the senior onsite leader in our Kansas manufacturing facility producing 15 million pounds. You will be a key member of the company's operations leadership team & will be accountable for all aspects of plant performance to ensure business, operational, quality, and food safety objectives are achieved. As a dynamic leader, you will prioritize a safe working environment and be an advocate for ensuring talent retention, development, and engagement for approximately 310 employees onsite.

This critical role requires a confident leader with strong technical and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across the organization while balancing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What you will be doing…

Your mission will be to ensure the production and delivery of quality products on time and in the safest, most efficient, and cost-effective manner. You will be responsible for managing all resources related to production within the plant to ensure products are manufactured in the quantities required within the designated time frames at the most efficient cost without compromising high standards for safety and quality. Specific areas of responsibility include:

• Leading and coordinating production operations, employee health and safety, manufacturing engineering, quality, and continuous improvement efforts for the plant.
• Manage daily operations within the plant to achieve production and business goals.
• Hire, train, motivate, and develop staff and create a high-performing, engaged workforce.
• Ensure employee safety while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the plant.
• Partner with Human Resources to develop programs and tools to drive a high-performing and engaging culture within the plant.
• Test and monitor plant performance through production reports and analysis.
• Champion change to develop a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead the staff to identify and develop present and future capacities through manpower and machinery to ensure the most cost-efficient operations.
• Ensure production is scheduled to meet plans and schedules are executed effectively and on time.
• Establish and maintain an organized system, optimize processes and methods to ensure maximum and steady output, increase efficiency, and reduce waste.
• Develop and improve production and sanitation processes to maintain and improve quality standards as well as minimize waste and inefficiencies.
• Fully understand the Manufacturing budget and manage expectations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with functional support departments.
• Maintain effective communication of company goals and relevant information to employees.
• Develop and encourage effective working relationships within the department and with support organizations.
• Ensure safety programs are followed in place, and effectively executed.
• Lead the plant on the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for FSSC certification

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, food science, or business administration or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of proven experience in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in continuous improvement using lean tools (5S, TPM, Six Sigma, or similar).
• Experience with SAP in a manufacturing environment.
• Training in engineering standards.
• Ability to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines to ensure product quality and uphold food safety standards.
• Learn to Identify and address potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities, while maintaining proactive communication with supervisors.
• Accurately document food safety and quality procedures, maintaining detailed records of monitoring, verification, and corrective actions, following training.

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Advanced Degree
• Experience in a process-oriented, food manufacturing environment
• Training in engineering standards such as “Lean” sanitation, food safety, and regulations

What it's like at the Plants

• Safety. Your safety is important to us, so we provide protective gear. We also go through an in-depth Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training on your first day and continue to share safety tips daily
• Surroundings. You'll be working around different machines & processes – Molding/Starch/Forming processes, Schubert's/Novelty/Bars/Baggers equipment's, forklifts, electric pallet jacks.
• Activity. Some activities may require standing in one place for long periods, walking around, or climbing stairs/ladders, and routinely lift 50 lbs.
• Temperature. You will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment. Our temperatures are consistently around 63°F but could fluctuate depending on your specific role.
• Smell. You will enjoy a variety of deliciously sweet aromas and you may end your day smelling like chocolate!
• Dress code. Relaxed, with a few rules to follow for food safety, personal safety and in guidance with our good manufacturing practices (GMP). Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. Leather, imitation leather, rubber boots or shoes must be worn in the kitchen and other areas when working around hot liquid/product or hot water.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.