Plant Operations Manager

Our client, a small but fast-growing contract manufacturer serving the tea and nutraceutical industries is seeking a Plant Operations Manager. As Plant Operations Manager, you'll play a key leadership role in scaling our operations, developing our people, and strengthening our culture of excellence and continuous improvement. If you thrive in a hands-on environment where leadership, communication, and data-driven decisions make a real impact — we'd love to meet you. The Plant Manager oversees all aspects of daily manufacturing operations — particularly blending and packaging — ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role emphasizes leadership, communication, and quantitative decision-making. The ideal candidate builds strong teams, implements Lean Manufacturing practices, and fosters a culture of accountability, safety, and growth. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires both operational excellence and strategic vision to support continued expansion. Key Responsibilities 1. Production Planning and Scheduling • Develop production schedules based on customer demand, manpower, resource availability, and capacity. • Ensure operations run smoothly and production deadlines are consistently met. 2. Managing Production Teams (Blending and Packing)• Oversee supervisors, machine operators, and assembly line workers. • Ensure staff are trained, motivated, and working efficiently to meet targets. • Implement and sustain visual management and daily accountability systems that reinforce performance discipline. 3. Maintaining High Quality Assurance Standards • Ensure all workers are trained in basic SOPs and product specifications. • Maintain adherence to all quality and safety standards in finished products. 4. Ensuring Workplace Safety • Champion a zero-incident safety culture aligned with GMP, HACCP, SQF, and OSHA standards. • Enforce safety protocols and create a safe working environment to prevent incidents and hazards. 5. Optimizing Production Efficiency • Drive measurable improvements in throughput, yield, and labor efficiency using Lean Manufacturing and data-driven performance metrics. • Establish, monitor, and continuously improve KPIs for productivity, quality, and cost reduction. • Develop and maintain effective capacity planning to optimize labor, equipment, and material utilization. 6. Cost Management and Budgeting • Be fully accountable for plant operating budgets, including cost control, margin improvement, and capital planning. • Manage resources effectively, minimize waste, and ensure operations remain within budgeted cost parameters. 7. Inventory Management and ERP Utilization • Utilize NetSuite ERP systems and data analytics to improve scheduling, identify bottlenecks, and enhance operational visibility. • Maintain accurate inventory tracking and reporting. 8. Equipment Management • Ensure operators properly run and maintain equipment. • Coordinate with the Maintenance team to ensure regular preventive maintenance (PMs) and timely service or repair to minimize downtime. 9. Reporting and Performance Analysis • Monitor KPIs, analyze production data, and prepare reports for management to inform decision-making. 10. Collaboration with Other Departments • Work closely with Engineering, Quality, R&D, Warehouse, Sales, and Supply Chain to align production with customer priorities and delivery goals. • Lead and support new product introductions and commercialization in collaboration with R&D, Quality, and Sales. 11. Fostering Continuous Improvement • Lead or participate in facility expansion, automation, and process modernization projects to support company growth. • Promote a proactive, problem-solving environment where teamwork and communication drive operational excellence. Skills Needed • Leadership Skills • Problem-Solving Skills • Technical Knowledge • Computer Skills (ERP systems and Microsoft Excel proficiency) Minimum Qualifications • Bilingual (English/Spanish) required. • 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role. • Proven success leading teams in a food, beverage, or nutraceutical production environment. • Strong understanding and hands-on implementation of Lean Manufacturing methodologies. • Deep working knowledge of process improvement tools such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, or 5S. • Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and being accountable for operating budgets. • Knowledge of capacity planning and ability to align schedules and resources with business demand. • Experience implementing data-driven management systems and using ERP or MES dashboards for performance tracking. • Excellent quantitative, analytical, and organizational skills. • Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective cross-departmental and remote coordination. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar). • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience). Preferred Qualifications / Nice-to-Haves • Experience building and scaling teams in a growing manufacturing environment. • Experience with beverage or nutraceutical manufacturing processes (not bottling). • Background in performance evaluation, budgeting, and cost analysis. • Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop future leaders. • Strong "outward mindset" — balancing personal performance with the success of the broader team. • Exposure to agricultural, mechanical, or farm-based work environments (valued for practical problem-solving skills). • Experience with OEE improvement, automation, or continuous improvement projects. Additional Information This is an on-site position only; remote work is not available.