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Plant Manager
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Buffalo Grove, IL (In Person)
Full-Time
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Job Description
The Plant Manager is responsible for the full oversight of our USDA-certified pizza production facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing operations. This role leads all aspects of plant performance including production output, food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, workforce management, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings proven food manufacturing leadership experience and a deep understanding of USDA regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Key Responsibilities Production & Operations Management
- Oversee day-to-day production of pizza products across all shifts to meet volume, quality, and cost targets.
- Develop and execute production schedules to optimize throughput, minimize downtime, and meet customer demand.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, yield, waste, and labor efficiency.
- Lead root cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions promptly.
- Lead equipment maintenance program execution. USDA Compliance & Food Safety
- Maintain full compliance with all USDA regulations, including FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) requirements applicable to pizza products with meat or poultry components.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for USDA inspectors on-site; manage inspection readiness and facilitate audit processes.
- Oversee HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plans, ensuring all CCPs are monitored, documented, and validated.
- Maintain and continuously improve the facility's food safety management systems in alignment with FSMA requirements.
- Ensure all labeling, packaging, and recordkeeping meet USDA and FDA standards. Quality Assurance
- Partner with the QA/QC team to uphold product quality standards and manage non-conformances.
- Drive SQF, BRC, or equivalent third-party food safety certification maintenance and renewal.
- Implement and monitor sanitation programs (SSOP) and pest control procedures across the facility.
- Lead internal audits and prepare the plant for third-party and customer audits. Team Leadership & Development
- Directly manage production supervisors, leads, and support staff; foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Identify training needs and develop workforce capabilities in food safety, equipment operation, and GMPs.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, and disciplinary processes in partnership with HR.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and engaged workplace culture. Safety & Regulatory
- Champion a zero-incident safety culture; ensure full compliance with OSHA regulations and internal EHS policies.
- Lead investigation of all workplace incidents and near-misses, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Maintain environmental compliance and ensure proper waste handling procedures are followed. Financial & Strategic Management
- Manage the plant operating budget including labor, materials, overhead, and capital expenditures.
- Identify and execute cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and sales teams to align production capacity with business needs.
- Report plant performance metrics to senior leadership on a regular basis. Customer/Vendor Management
- Develop/maintains collaborative relationships with customers and vendors
- Work in conjunction with procurement to develop and execute customer and vendor contracts Qualifications Required
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
- 5-8 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a plant management or senior supervisory role.
- Maintain high standards for contract execution, holding oneself and others accountable
- Direct experience working in a USDA-regulated or FSIS-inspected facility.
- Solid knowledge of HACCP principles, GMPs, SSOP, and FSMA requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-shift operations and manage teams of 50+ employees.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using data to drive decisions.
- Proficiency in production planning systems (ERP/MES) and Microsoft Office Suite. Preferred
- Experience in pizza, dough, or frozen food manufacturing.
- SQF Practitioner, PCQI, or HACCP certification.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), or TPM certification.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus given diverse workforce environments.