Assistant Plant Manager (61158)

Come work with Tofurky! We are the Nation’s leading manufacturer of plant-based proteins and dairy-free cheeses. Our range of 35+ products can be found in more than 25,000 grocery stores throughout North America. We’re on a mission to erase the myth that people have to make a choice between enjoying tasty food OR taking care of themselves and the planet. We can do both.

Tofurky is hiring for an Assistant Plant Manager to join our Operations Team. This position is full-time, onsite from our location in Hood River, OR.

What you’ll do:

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Assistant Plant Manager (APM) will lead the Tofurky manufacturing and warehousing operations to meet or exceed safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives through effective utilization of personnel, equipment, systems, and facilities. This position is responsible for maintaining an efficient operational and warehousing environment by overseeing the day-to-day activities with a hands-on approach and collaborative style. This role is viewed as a key leader and contributor in building and maintaining a strong safety, food safety, and operational excellence culture for our dual site operations located in Hood River, OR.

The ideal candidate has a proactive, hands-on approach, leads with empathy, works to empower, coach, and motivate teams, and thrives in a data-driven manufacturing environment.

Direct reports: Production Manager, Production Scheduler, and Warehouse Lead.

Responsibilities include:

1. Direct and indirectly manage and support plant & warehouse operations including safety, environmental, food safety, quality, production, production scheduling, maintenance, continuous improvement, training, effective employee relations and engagement.

2. Coaches and mentors’ others on effectively building strong safety culture, practices, and behaviors.

3. Promotes a zero-incident culture by putting and/or supporting processes, systems, and programs in place to recognize hazards and prevent incidents before they occur; Ensure all unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions are addressed to completion.

4. Effectively coaches and guides department leadership in the development of labor usage strategies; Optimize resource utilization strategies while reacting to changes in production demands and deadlines.

5. Coordinate plant activities through planning with departmental managers to ensure the total manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.

6. Ensure personnel adhere to Tofurky internal policies, all legal requirements, and local/state health and safety regulations.

7. Key partner with the Human Resources department to develop and drive positive employee relations and engagement.

8. Oversees all aspects of Production Planning and Scheduling; Understands the manufacturing processes and needs to ensure a streamlined, cost-effective, and efficient manufacturing schedule.

9. Supports the R&D team in new product and/or process development; supports production runs, costing of labor, and scrap/yield standards for new products.

10. Analyzes and drives action for manufacturing variances within packaging and ingredients, yields/waste streams, line performance, and labor usage; leads management team to implement waste/loss reduction strategies.

11. Continuous improvement site champion; responsible for building, implementing, and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset.

12. Strategically managing the warehouse environment in compliance with the company’s policies and vision.

13. Overseeing receiving, warehousing, order building and finished good inventory storage operations; ensures efficient space utilization.

14. Overseeing truck scheduling and dock usage.

15. Conducting physical counts of products and reconciling with ERP system to maintain inventory accuracy by scheduling cycle counts, managing shelf life on held inventory by using FIFO/FEFO practices.

16. All other duties as required.

Work Environment

This job operates in both a clerical, office and manufacturing setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. This position is frequently required to enter the production floor and must follow personnel procedures pertaining to dress and code of conduct in that area.

Physical Demands

This job operates in an office setting with frequent exposure to the production areas. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. This position is regularly required to the production floor and must follow personnel procedures pertaining to dress and code of conduct in those areas.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a salaried, exempt on-site position. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Some flexibility in work schedule is required to accommodate the needs of staff on multiple shifts. Occasionally required to work long days and/or on weekends based on the needs of the business.

Travel

No out-of-area travel is expected.

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university – preferable in business, supply chain, food science, or related field.

2. Minimum of 6 years’ experience within a manufacturing environment with demonstrated progressive management experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Previous experience in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.

2. Bilingual – English and Spanish.

3. Demonstrated leadership for safety and quality initiatives that drive zero-incident culture.

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

5. Experience collaborating and influencing cross-functionally within an organization.

6. Experience building and maintaining high-performing teams.

7. Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement across plant functions.