The Plant Manager, reporting directly to the Vice President of Manufacturing, will oversee manufacturing operations for our facility in Kenosha, WI. This role emphasizes performance, employee safety, food quality and safety, and environmental compliance. The Plant Manager will strive to meet a variety of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, standards, quality, employee and food safety, labor management, and customer focus. They will also identify and resolve inefficiencies, working with Production Managers to enhance plant performance and maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the manufacturing team
• Drive a culture that upholds our values, continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance
• Develop and mentor Production Managers and other key personnel, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee daily operations of the manufacturing site in Kenosha
• Ensure products are manufactured and packaged on schedule, within quality standards and meeting cost objectives
• Implement and monitor KPIs to drive safety, people, quality, productivity, and cost management
• Develop and enforce operational standards, procedures, and policies to ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies.

Productivity and Standards:

• Set and achieve production goals, ensuring optimal use of resources and minimizing waste
• Drive standardization of processes to ensure consistency and reliability
• Establishes best practices with strong emphasis on production efficiencies, safety, compliance and asset utilization
• Utilize lean manufacturing principles to streamline operations and improve productivity

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure that all products meet or exceed quality standards and customer expectations
• Implement and maintain rigorous quality control systems and procedures
• Address and resolve quality issues promptly and effectively

Safety and Compliance:

• Promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all safety regulations and best practices
• Develop and implement safety programs and training to minimize workplace accidents and injuries
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections

Labor Management:

• Oversee labor planning and workforce management to optimize labor costs and productivity
• Develop and implement labor strategies to attract, retain, and motivate employees
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations

Customer Focus:

• Work closely with sales and customer service teams to ensure customer requirements are met
• Address customer concerns and issues related to manufacturing promptly and effectively
• Develop strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for the manufacturing site
• Monitor financial performance and implement cost control measures
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of leading manufacturing operations, preferably in the food industry
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety regulations; food safety and regulations a plus
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to drive change and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel between sites as needed

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Operational Excellence
• Leadership and Team Development
• Quality Focus
• Customer Orientation
• Financial Acumen
• Safety Awareness
• Problem Solving

Lipari Foods is a regional full-line deli, bakery, packaging, and grocery distributor, headquartered in Warren, MI. We are a premier store distributor, delivering 37,000+ food and packaging products to 32 states and 14,000+ retail accounts. We operate several manufacturing facilities from a USDA fresh food plant to facilities specializing in jar goods, cheese and confections. We are in your communities providing food to your stores and feeding your families and neighbors. And we are growing. Fast. In fact, Lipari Foods was recently named by Crain’s Business as one of the fastest growing companies in Michigan, and we’re not just growing in Michigan!

We are looking for talent with a can-do mindset, focused on growing a career, and interested in working on a diverse, dedicated team to create something greater collectively. Together, we are delivering more than great food to build a better tomorrow.

Lipari Foods LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.