Plant Manager

Company

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply.

Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious, and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. We always make it real.

Reporting to the Operations Senior Director, the Plant Manager will be responsible for the production, warehousing, and shipping activities of the Smithville Peanut shelling, raw ingredient food processing facility. The Plant Manager will be required to ensure compliance with all company, state, and national safety and environmental policies as well as the company’s Global Foods Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) food safety policies.

This position will manage a multi‑shift operation across various departments and has responsibility for directing and controlling elements of the production operations within capital and operating budget parameters for the facility. The Plant Manager will formulate strategic production plans consistent with company future planning in terms of facilities, equipment, machinery, and personnel, and will lead, develop and mentor plant leadership and collaborate with supporting functions.

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring and guidance to plant management and floor‑level associates, focusing on talent acquisition, retention, development, and overall performance management.
• Responsible for safety, food safety, quality, product availability, customer service and cost performance within the facility by leading with a zero‑injury mentality and partnering with Safety, Health and Sustainability representative to drive safety initiatives across the facility.
• Manage assigned teams to maintain plant and grounds in sanitary condition to achieve and assure ongoing certification through the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
• Ensure that the facility is adding value day‑to‑day.
• Develop scorecards and metrics to ensure plant productivity meets targeted goals.
• Collect and analyze data to develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive quality and production goals.
• Approve and implement changes to production methods or material handling procedures.
• Stay abreast of new and changing technology and regulatory requirements.
• Provide insight and guidance to Finance teams to create annual operating budget and adhere to the plant’s operating budget including standard output and compliance to budget reports.
• Partner with Engineering to introduce new products, programs, and capital equipment.
• Develop and implement labor strategies that align with demand and business priorities.
• Balance daily management with long‑term strategic planning to ensure business success.
• Set clear and meaningful performance expectations for direct reports and establish performance objectives for dotted‑line responsibilities of manufacturing support and direct labor associates.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred, or 4 years of equivalent leadership manufacturing experience in lieu of degree.
• Ten (10) years of progressive manufacturing management experience is required. Experience in lean manufacturing/Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) or other operational excellence approach is a plus. Experience in peanut processing is highly preferred.
• Previous work experience managing budgets and production financial data is required.
• Excellent planning and general management skills are required.
• Proven ability…