Plant Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW

At Harvest Food Group (HFG), our mission is to create products that make a positive impact on the world. HFG is a private equity–backed company headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, with a brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility in East Chicago, Indiana.

Please note, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future. Additionally, there is no relocation assistance.

JOB SUMMARY 

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations in a high-volume food manufacturing facility specializing in frozen ingredients. This role ensures efficient production while maintaining safety, quality, cost, and efficiency standards. The Production Manager leads a team of supervisors and production staff to drive continuous improvement, automation integration, and operational excellence in alignment with company goals. This role reports directly to the VP of Operations and serves as a key leader in executing company-wide operational strategy, driving plant performance, and contributing to long-term growth initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

·        The following are essential job duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs.

·        Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is required to effectively perform the responsibilities of this role.

Operations Leadership 

·        Oversee all aspects of quality products, schedule adherence, and execution to meet customer demand and business goals

·        Ensure efficiency, waste reduction, and cost control in production processes

·        Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement strategies 

·        Maintain compliance with food safety (FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF), regulatory, and company standards 

·        Collaborate with maintenance teams to ensure optimal equipment performance and uptime

·        Drive automation adoption and process optimization for increased productivity

·        Operations liaison in the commercialization process

·        Partner with the VP of Operations to develop and execute plant and network-level strategies

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

·        Ensure full compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and all regulatory requirements

·        Champion a food safety culture and ensure adherence to all FSQA programs

·        Partner with Quality to ensure product integrity, audit readiness, and customer satisfaction

·        Support and external audits and ensure timely corrective actions

·        Oversee sanitation effectiveness and compliance in a frozen food environment

Team Leadership & Development 

·        Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement

·        Ensure adequate staffing levels, training, and skill development to meet production goals

·        Conduct performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and employee development plans 

·        Promote a safety-first culture, ensuring adherence to OSHA and company safety policies

·        Develop talent through coaching, training, succession planning

Safety & Environmental

·        Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety policies

·        Reduce workplace incidents through proactive safety programs and training

·        Oversee environmental compliance related to waste, water, and refrigeration systems

Performance & Continuous Improvement

·        Translate executive-level goals into clear plant-level execution plans

·        Establish and monitor KPIs (OEE, yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, waste, etc.)

·        Analyze performance data to identify gaps and implement corrective actions

·        Lead plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives and cost reduction programs

·        Drive operational discipline through standard work and accountability systems

·        Regularly review plant performance with the VP of Operations, including KPIs, financial results, and improvement plans

Financial Performance

·        Manage plant budgets, including labor, materials, and operating expenses.

·        Monitor cost performance and implement cost-saving initiatives.

Requirements

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS 

·        Bachelor's degree in food science, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field/experience. 

·        5+ years of production management experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably in frozen food. 

·        Experience managing high-volume, automated food production lines. 

·        Demonstrated experience in leading teams, improving efficiency, and implementing process improvements. 

·        Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred; ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with English- and Spanish-speaking employees, customers, and/or vendors.

·        Strong knowledge of IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) food processing and packaging. 

·        Must have Vertical Form Fill and Seal knowledge, horizontal bagging, and other packaging systems knowledge.

·        Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) preferred. 

·        Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills. 

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement. 

·        Proficient in ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling software, and Microsoft Office Suite. 

·        Knowledge of regulatory compliance, food safety programs, and OSHA safety standards. 

Benefits

WHY JOIN US?

·        Play a key role in the launch of a state of the art facility. 

·        Work with a collaborative and innovation-driven team. 

·        Help deliver high-quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers. 

·        Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Life and AD&D insurance, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, 401(k) matching, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays.