Plant Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to plant leaders and team members to achieve performance standards and KPIs concerning safety, quality, cost, and line efficiency.

• Responsible for building a sustainable and motivated organization with high expectations around process improvement and product quality.

• Manages direct and indirect controllable costs related to manufacturing.

• Manages overall plant profit and loss (P&L) responsibility across plant departments.

• Provide direction and oversight to production, maintenance, and technical support activities to reduce downtime, maximize production, and ensure proper care of plant and equipment.

• Leads process and food manufacturing product improvement engineers to deliver continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensures quality control, quality assurance, and food safety processes are in place and effectively administrated consistent with Local, State, and Federal laws & Guidelines, GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) Food Safety Certification, and King Arthur standards.

• Drive activities and processes to promote safety and the creation of a safety-conscious workforce.

• Actively participate in the business planning process including the development of the facility operational plan, plant financial budgets, and the development of the business long-range plan.

• Communicate and collaborate cross-functionally within and outside of Operations to assist the team in solving operational issues.

• Lead enterprise-wide manufacturing initiatives that further KAB’s strategic plan.

• Builds people capability through effective employee relations, hiring, training, and communication for both management and front-line hourly personnel.

• Actively participate in and lead parts of the business planning process including the development of the facility operational plan, plant financial budgets, and the development of the business long-range plan.

• Lead and foster an environment of continuous improvement that meets or exceeds company expectations.

• Ensure operational compliance with all regulatory requirements including FDA (Federal Drug Administration), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act).

Experience and Education:

• 8+ years’ experience in food and/or CPG (consumer packaged goods) manufacturing

• 5-7 years’ of management experience leading cross-functional teams.

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in engineering, business, operations management, or similar field) or equivalent experience required

• Demonstrated strong knowledge in manufacturing equipment, food processing technology, and process flow to deliver continuous improvement.

• Strong understanding of operations management including modern quality management tools and the ability to drive continuous process improvement through the use of Lean, TPM and Six Sigma tools.

• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements including FDA, OSHA, etc.

• Strong proficiency in computer use including SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Suite applications and internal software applications.

• Developing knowledge of SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud

• Proficient with RedZone Productivity Suite or similar software

• Proficient with Excel and/or Power BI for dashboard building

• We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Competencies:

• Leadership: Ability to lead and motivate a diverse workforce, set clear goals, and provide direction to achieve objectives, lead through change and maintain quality standards and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Effectively model and promote the company values through active and positive leadership to the culture across the facility.

• Communication and influence: Articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively through both verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. Ability to persuade stakeholders to support initiatives, process improvements and resource allocation fostering collaboration, driving change, and resolving conflicts diplomatically to ensure operational success and organizational alignment.

• Decision Making and Problem Solving. Analyze complex situations, weigh the pros and cons of various options, and make sound and timely decisions while considering the impact on the team and organization. Identify and define problems and analyze relevant information to generate and implement effective solutions.

• Analytical and financial acumen. Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are sensible and based on analyzing available information. Applies a broad knowledge of financial management principles to understand direct and indirect controllable manufacturing costs and to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.

• Continuous Improvement: Commitment to implementing lean manufacturing principles and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to drive operational excellence.

• Strategic Thinking: Capability to think critically and strategically to develop plans and recommendations that are aligned with organizational objectives and market demands.

Success Factors:

• Effective working in a volatile and complex environment and work with a sense of urgency that drives effective results.

• Ability to develop a deep knowledge of King Arthur’s manufacturing process and products

• Strong innovative external focus with proven ability to affect sustainable change.

• Works well in a team environment and ability to lead a team-based approach to decision making

• Genuine enthusiasm for the King Arthur’s mission and products and a commitment to living our values

• Is community minded gets involved, volunteers

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical requirements

This role consistently uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

• Work environment

Indoors, a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or temperature changes. This role operates in a professional office environment where most work is performed at a desk. A remote work environment that meets KAB standards for work .

• Safety

Understands that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization and is responsible for adhering to/providing work in a safe and ergonomic manner, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting conditions immediately or reporting them promptly.

Participates in safety and compliance training and safety and health programs.

Supervision

• Supervises plant leadership team

Travel

• <5%

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive and safe work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. As a proud Benefit Corporation, King Arthur Baking expects our employees to adhere to company-wide green norms and remain educated on company impact campaigns.