Plant Manager

Job/Position DescriptionTITLE: Plant Manager Ice CreamMANAGER: Head of Ice Cream Manufacturing FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT DEPARTMENT: Manufacturing DATE: 1/1/2023 POSITION OVERVIEW:Responsible for providing both strategic and operational leadership for a non-union production facility producing ice cream and yogurt for sale in company owned convenience stores and to wholesale accounts (for example Kroger, Walmart, Great American Ball Park, among others) within a multi-state area.The role will support the execution of the strategic and tactical business plans by working directly with Plant Engineering, Quality Assurance, R&D, Warehouse and Distribution, the Retail and Wholesale management teams, Ordering, and Accounting employees to ensure that the business objectives are met.DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible and accountable for Production Facilities quality compliance, inventory control, and efficiencies with respect to labor, overhead, packaging and ingredients, operational budget, and profit and loss statementsCoach and counsel subordinate managers without over managing or micromanaging their decisions. Works with this focus to define plant goals and plans to meet these goals with this groupCreate, develop and sustain a can-do climate and high levels of frequent communication, cooperation, rewards, training and mutual support among departmentsDemonstrate an adequate understanding of plant machinery; equipment; processing; products, quality, and/or other requisite technical knowledge to engage in overall direction, meaningful conversation across functions, and leadership of managers across the plantDemonstrate clear integrity and a sense of ethics and responsibility to the plant and its employees on a daily basis, serving as a model for othersCoordinates production, distribution, warehousing including production forecasting and scheduling.Responsible for the purchasing of raw ingredients and packaging used in the production process.Manage relationships with regulatory agenciesRespond effectively and work cross-functionally within the organizationAbility to work successfully with co-packing customersEffectively partnership with Human Resources and others regarding employee issues.Perform in a variety of capacities related to employment decisions throughout the employment life cycle. i.e. hiring, firing, performance evaluation, salary recommendations, employee relations issues as appropriate etc.Understand and manage as appropriate capital project expenditures or/or the implementation of capital projects in conjunction with the Plant Engineer.Effectively implement, improve and reinforce the company s environmental health and safety programs and product food safety program.Will follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.People Management:Responsible for providing direct reports with timely, candid and constructive performance feedback; developing employees to their fullest potential and provide challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth;Developing the appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning; recognizing and rewarding employees for accomplishments.Incumbent also holds his direct reports accountable for performing the same functions and activities with their direct reports if applicable.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:College Degree and or Equivalent Experience preferable in engineering, business, food science or related field7-10 years operational and management experience in food production environmentFrozen Food Experience a big plus5+ years of experience as a Manager in ice cream productionFamiliar with how basic plant equipment functions (pumps, hydraulics, electricity, boiler, compressors, chillers etc.)Planning, scheduling and project management experience necessaryFood TechnologyComputer/Technical:Ability to use all Microsoft Office software, including: Word, Excel, & PowerPointAbility to use Microsoft Outlook email and database platform.Previous experience with Production Planning systems preferred