Plant Manager

Position Summary

As Plant Manager at Maker's Pride in Carol Stream, IL, you will oversee our 361k‑sq‑ft facility that operates 19 production lines, including 5 high‑speed tray lines with robotics. The role responsibilities include managing the full plant lifecycle, ensuring safe production of high‑quality packaged tray meals for our national and global customers, and optimizing labor and material utilization during scheduled shifts.

• Supervise a total of 1,200 Maker's Pride and temporary employees, including hourly and salaried staff.
• Provide overall direction, coordination and evaluation across all functional areas: human resources, quality, safety, finance.
• Lead recruitment, training, performance appraisal, reward, disciplinary actions and conflict resolution.
• Oversee conversion of raw materials to finished products, ensuring minimal waste and labor cost.
• Control raw material formula consistency and monitor proper rotation of dough, meals and other raw materials.
• Maintain a 5S clean and organized environment.
• Schedule, maintain and approve production and ensure compliance with company and customer standards.
• Plan production operations, establish priorities, sequences and resolve operational, manufacturing and maintenance issues.
• Inspect machines and equipment for performance and utilitarian use.
• Resolve employee complaints and submit unresolved matters to Employee & Community Relations.
• Train, develop and evaluate employees for future needs.
• Attend meetings, make presentations and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Comply with all safety, health, environmental regulations and company policies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Four‑year college degree in business or engineering;
  Food Science is a plus. MBA preferred.
• 5–10 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment; bakery experience a plus.
• Experience in a non‑union manufacturing setting; multi‑plant responsibility or 1,000+ employee oversight preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Experience with cost control, food quality and safety.
• Excellent communication, conflict management, decision‑making, motivational and organizational skills.
• Strong self‑confidence and leadership abilities.
• Basic mechanical skills.

• Procurement, products and production processes.
• Experience with SAP and other ERP systems.
• Prior plant management experience exceeding 5 years.
• Thorough understanding of food safety and quality standards.

• Influential leadership and conflict resolution.
• Strategic prioritization and data presentation.
• Project management and contract review.
• Effective presentation, writing, proposals, business plans, SOPs.
• Personnel and performance management.

• Define problems, collect data and draw conclusions.
• Work in fast‑paced environments and make sound decisions.
• Communicate in English and interpret diverse instructions.
• Write routine reports and correspondence.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from customers, regulators, staff and the community.
• Present information to employees, management and public groups.
• Apply mathematical concepts to practical situations.

• MS Office Suite, SAP and PowerPoint.

• Collaborative teamwork under stressful conditions and deadlines.
• Manage multiple priorities and tasks.
• Receptive to new ideas and constructive criticism.
• Maintain harmonious relations with employees and management across all levels.

• Use hands and fingers; reach with hands/arms throughout shift.
• See, hear and talk; distinguish colors; work in light to moderate noise levels.
• Work near moving mechanical parts; exposure to fumes, airborne particles, vibration.
• Good coordination, manual dexterity for repetitive tasks.
• Lift/move up to 50 lbs.; push/pull items up to 2,600 lbs. with assistance.
• Walk up to 250,000 sq ft plant; climb steps; crawl under equipment.
• Stand eight hours per shift; work >40 hrs/week.
• Operate in variable temperatures and wet, humid areas.

The pay range for this full‑time, salaried position is $160,266–$240,400 per year. Base pay depends on location and experience. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance. Benefits include health, dental, 401(k) and wellness programs, effective from day one.

This information is provided per the relevant state and local pay transparency laws for the location in which this position will be performed. Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.