Plant Manager, Food Processing, Prosser, WA

The Plant Manager directs and coordinates the production of high-quality products at a pre-scheduled volume with maximum efficiency through the effective assignment, monitoring, and management of Supervisors and hourly production, aseptic, blending and freezer employees. Coordinates communication and activities of the production facility including operations, maintenance, quality assurance, engineering, sales and administration.

The Plant Manager provides leadership and direction within the department. This position is expected to offer insight; make rapid, informed decisions; and provide experienced coaching and mentoring to crew members and Supervisors ensuring overall productivity, quality, safety, employee engagement and profitability for the company.

• Responsible for managing the activities of Production and Operations Supervisors to ensure manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and a cost-effective manner.
• Assists the Vice President Operation to coordinate and administer adequate plans for the control of plant operations. Such a plan provides profit planning, expense budgets, and saving opportunities, together with the necessary controls and procedures to affect the plan.
• Coordinates communication between departments and operators. Facilitates information transfer at daily leader/shift change meetings. Freely initiates sharing information with other Production Supervisors, QA and Maintenance to ensure smooth operations.
• Responsible for knowing the status of all products in process by reviewing and analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, and operational and production reports in order to keep operational delays to a minimum.
• Compiles and enters post-production reports into the Navision system including tank movements, blends and packaging. Ensures all reports are thorough, accurate and timely. Establishes and maintains strong interdepartmental communication with Finance.

• BS/BA from an accredited college or university with major course work in Food Science, Science, Bacteriology or closely related field. Master’s in business administration or management a plus. Experience may be substituted for a degree on a year for year basis.
• 10+ years’ experience in production and increasingly responsible supervisory positions.
• 10+ years technical knowledge of fruit product production. Familiarity with industry standard equipment and technical expertise. Aseptic packaging experience in either a low-acid or high-acid environment strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal health and safety regulations
• Sound knowledge of business and management principles including budgeting, strategic planning, and resource allocation. Knowledgeable of safety, quality, productivity, inventory and stewardship processes.
• Sound knowledge and experience with principles and practices of human resources including personnel practices, employment laws and fiscal management practices; and the appropriate methods and means of dealing with human behavior situations in a variety of circumstances.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, and motivate personnel in order to balance staffing strength with profitability and growth. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of supervision and training.

You must be authorized to work in the United States