
Plant Manager
- Memphis, TN
- $150,000-175,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Location: Memphis, TN (Onsite Position)
Target Start Date : ASAP
Type: Direct Hire, Full Time
Salary : $150-175K, 20% bonus / Relocation Bonus Package AvailableOur client, a global leader in the food ingredients industry, is seeking an experienced Plant Manager for their flagship U.S. facility in Memphis, TN. The Plant Manager serves as the strategic and operational leader of a 24/7 manufacturing facility—a high-performing, partially automated site serving a diverse and evolving agri-food market. This role drives performance across production, safety, quality, engineering, and workforce development, while ensuring efficient, cost-effective operations. A critical focus is on leading organizational change, fostering adaptability, and guiding teams through continuous improvement, modernization, and cultural transformation.Key Responsibilities
- Oversee all plant functions including production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, environment, HR, and training.
- Champion health and safety compliance and culture.
- Monitor KPIs for cost, quality, productivity, and flexibility; lead regular performance reviews.
- Manage plant facilities, equipment, and capital assets.
- Develop and manage budgets, control costs, and implement process improvements.
- Lead resolution of non-conformities, quality issues, and customer complaints.
- Provide leadership in employee relations, recruitment, succession planning, and staff development.
- Drive and manage organizational change, aligning employees at all levels with new technologies, process improvements, and cultural initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including food safety and environmental standards.
- Serve as site representative with community stakeholders and external authorities.
- Support other sites as needed.
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or Operations Management.
- 10+ years of operational management in fast-paced, production-driven environments.
- Strong leadership experience, including working with unionized teams.
- Proven ability to lead change initiatives and build employee buy-in during periods of transformation.
- Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, GFSI, and food safety standards.
- Expertise in Lean, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methods.
- Experience in materials management, production scheduling, and preventive maintenance.
- Technical understanding of industrial equipment (pumps, conveyors, valves, PLCs, VFDs, etc.).
- Experience in food, fermentation, yeast, dairy, or brewery/distillery industries.
- Availability for off-hours support during emergencies.
- Up to 20% travel.