Plant Manager
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 per year
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posted: August 19 2025
Minimum Degree:
Relocation Assistance: Available
Plant Manager
The Plant Manager oversees all phases of plant operations, including production, quality assurance, maintenance, receiving, and shipping. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality manufacturing while driving productivity and profitability. Additional responsibilities include supporting recruitment, hiring, and training initiatives; managing facility upkeep and capital improvements; and leading annual budget planning and execution.
Key Responsibilities:
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Provide leadership and direction for the daily operations of the facility.
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Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure product consistency, monitor yields, and identify trends for process improvements.
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Review and manage production schedules to maintain target inventory levels while achieving maximum operational efficiency.
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Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of manufacturing personnel.
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Monitor operational expenses, identifying opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality.
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Champion safety initiatives and maintain a culture of safety in partnership with Human Resources, ensuring compliance with all safety policies and best practices.
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Maintain a superior housekeeping and safety program, including timely reporting (e.g., accident reports within 1 hour, daily injury-free tracking, TIR updates).
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Develop, manage, and execute plant manufacturing budgets.
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Assess workforce needs, conduct performance evaluations, and provide coaching and guidance to team members.
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Foster a continuous improvement mindset throughout all operations.
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Identify and remove production bottlenecks; allocate resources effectively to meet operational goals.
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Eliminate waste and inefficiencies to enhance productivity.
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Collaborate with Purchasing to strengthen supplier relationships and improve procurement processes.
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Oversee and maintain plant security systems.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- 5+ year’s progressive experience in a key leadership / management role at a manufacturing facility.
- Minimum 3+ years’ experience with operations management in a food plant.
- Ability to create a team environment and collaboration up and down the organization. SQF certification and Food processing experience in a USDA plant.
- Previous experience / strong understanding of budgeting / expense management with a basic understanding of financial and accounting practices.
- Strong computer skills including the ability to prepare spreadsheets and use Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and / or Access) to analyze data and trends.
- Previous experience best practices implementing and using continuous improvement / lean tools such as Six Sigma, 5-S, Lean Manufacturing, Transactional Lean, etc. to drive improvement.
- Previous experience broad understanding of safety systems and enforcement of safety rules and policies.
- Demonstrated strong leadership, team building and advanced coaching skills.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate people, assess and develop employee skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of the principles and applications associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance and engineering.
- Excellent planning and organizational skills, with the ability to balance production and maintenance needs.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and listening ability.
- A strong ability to be adaptable and flexible.
- Strong analytical and decision making skills.
- Ability to work with teams and lead decision making processes in a team environment.
- Highly motivated, results oriented, driven.
Education and Experience Required:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Business / Finance / Management / Operations or other related field.
HACCP Certification
Additional Comments:
Preferred qualifications: Six Sigma, Green Belt or Black Belt certification, lean manufacturing principle implementation.