About the Role As a Plant Operations Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to drive excellence across our production departments. You will be responsible for cultivating a high-performing culture, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring we meet our safety, quality, and financial goals. Responsibilities Champion a safety-first culture by integrating rigorous safety protocols into daily operations and leading root cause investigations. Direct production activities for multiple product lines, ensuring optimal resource utilization and schedule attainment. Mentor and develop a diverse team of employees, fostering an inclusive environment that prioritizes professional growth and accountability. Implement Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen methodologies to eliminate waste, improve throughput, and enhance process capability. Analyze key operational metrics to identify trends, mitigate downtime, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Manage departmental budgets and controllable costs to maximize profitability and operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to translate strategic objectives into actionable, high-impact execution plans. Qualifications Required Skills Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related field. 5+ years of manufacturing experience with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity. Proven track record of building and managing high-performing, cross-functional teams. Strong proficiency in data analysis, statistical methods, and structured problem-solving (e.g., 5 Whys). Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels. Preferred Skills Direct experience in plastic extrusion or thermoforming processes. Deep understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food/beverage industry standards. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel for reporting and forecasting.