Plant Manager in Chicago

Job Description Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the overall operations of a high-volume food manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for plant production, employee safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, maintenance, sanitation, and operational performance.

The Plant Manager will ensure consistent, high-quality production while maintaining a safe, efficient, and timely manufacturing operation. This leader will be responsible for controlling costs, improving profitability, building a strong management team, and supporting the continued growth and stability of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, people‑focused leader with experience managing large manufacturing teams, improving plant performance, and implementing processes that increase efficiency, capacity, quality, and output.

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, including production, safety, quality, maintenance, sanitation, purchasing, and shipping.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure the health and safety of all employees.
• Enforce company safety policies and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Establish plant production goals and key performance indicators related to yield, labor efficiency, product giveaway, floor loss, quality, and overall plant performance.
• Monitor production results and implement corrective actions when performance goals are not achieved.
• Ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, on schedule, and according to established quality standards.
• Develop and maintain quality control, food safety, sanitation, and operational standards.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, USDA, FSIS, EPA, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary plant liaison with USDA inspectors and other regulatory representatives.
• Partner with department leaders to coordinate production schedules, purchasing, staffing, inventory, and shipping activities.
• Develop and implement facility policies, procedures, and operational best practices.
• Lead budgeting, capital planning, capacity planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the implementation of new production processes and equipment that improve efficiency, capacity, quality, and product innovation.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, minimize waste, improve yields, and maximize plant profitability.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain a skilled and motivated leadership team and workforce.
• Create employee development and succession plans that prepare team members for increased responsibility.
• Lead by example and encourage collaboration, accountability, and employee involvement in the decision‑making process.
• Manage multiple priorities and adjust plans as operational needs change.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, engineering, food science, manufacturing, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience leading a manufacturing facility or large production operation.
• Experience managing a workforce of at least 200 employees.
• Demonstrated success building, developing, and leading high‑performing teams.
• Experience with budgeting, capital planning, capacity planning, and continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple departments, competing priorities, and changing production demands.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.

• Leadership experience within the food manufacturing, meat processing, prepared foods, or consumer packaged goods…