The Role
The Plant Manager oversees operational performance, ensures food safety compliance, drives continuous improvement, manages budgets, and fosters employee development in a food production facility.
Summary Generated by Built In
Title: Plant Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Fremont, Nebraska
Reports To: Business Unit President
Department: Manufacturing Operations
SUMMARY:
The Plant Manager is responsible for the full leadership, operational performance, and strategic direction of the food production facility. This role ensures the plant operates safely, delivers high-quality products, meets customer demands, and achieves financial and operational goals. The Plant Manager drives a strong food safety culture, fosters continuous improvement, and builds a high performing, engaged workforce aligned with the company's values and customer expectations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education:
Experience:
Skills & Knowledge:
Preferred Skills:
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position does not allow for remote work.
The performance of this position requires exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse areas, which under certain conditions may require the use of personal protective equipment.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.
Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Fremont, Nebraska
Reports To: Business Unit President
Department: Manufacturing Operations
SUMMARY:
The Plant Manager is responsible for the full leadership, operational performance, and strategic direction of the food production facility. This role ensures the plant operates safely, delivers high-quality products, meets customer demands, and achieves financial and operational goals. The Plant Manager drives a strong food safety culture, fosters continuous improvement, and builds a high performing, engaged workforce aligned with the company's values and customer expectations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee all plant functions including Production, Production Scheduling, Maintenance, and Sanitation.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety standards (HACCP, GMP, SQF, FDA) and internal company standards.
- Lead development and execution of plant operational plans to achieve safety, quality, service, financial, and environmental targets.
- Develop, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) across safety, production efficiency, and product quality.
- Drive technological advancements and automation within the plant to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality.
- Lead operational excellence initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement frame fostering a culture of accountability and food safety, at all organizational levels.
- Manage plant budgeting and forecasting, ensuring strong cost control.
- Champion employee engagement and talent development; promote leadership development and succession planning to ensure a well-prepared team for future challenges building a strong leadership pipeline within the plant.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D and Commercial teams to support innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Ensure readiness for customers, regulatory, and third-party audits and manage corrective action plans.
- Represent the plant in internal leadership discussions, customer relationships, and regulatory agencies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field
Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles within the food production industry, including at least 5 years in a senior plant management position.
Skills & Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
- Strong track record of successfully leading production operations with a commitment to safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
- Experience managing budgets, projects, and plant planning.
- Proven leadership abilities with strong communication, team-building, and change management skills.
- Expertise in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and/or Six Sigma practices.
Preferred Skills:
- HACCP, PCQI, SQF, TPM, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or other relevant certifications.
- Experience with NetSuite ERP system, or similar.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, and experience leading multi-cultural workforces.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position does not allow for remote work.
- Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and frequently bend and move about the facility
- Frequently required to lift up to 55 pounds (anything over 55 lbs, team lift)
- Must be able to climb ladders and maneuver in small spaces
The performance of this position requires exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse areas, which under certain conditions may require the use of personal protective equipment.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Works in a manufacturing environment
- Exposure to dust, odors, and noise
Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.
Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business Management, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles in the food production industry
- 5 years in a senior plant management position
- In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations
- Experience managing budgets and projects
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The Company
What We Do
Woodland Gourmet, formerly Woodland Foods, has been a trusted source of culinary inspiration since 1989, rooted in global flavor knowledge and exploration of specialty ingredients. They are a leader in the specialty food products industry, cultivating lasting partnerships by crafting custom solutions for foodservice, industrial, and retail customers.
