Plant Operations Manager jobs in Wilmington, NC

Are you a seasoned plant manager with a passion for leading a start- up team where your experience and leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our company? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

The Plant Manager will oversee all production operations, focusing on safety, quality, service, and cost performance. Direct reports include Brewing, Packaging, Quality, Warehouse and Maintenance. HR and Finance are indirect reports but crucial members of the Operations Team.

Benefits:

Benefits Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Life Insurance, 401K with company match, Disability Leave, Sabbatical Program, Paid Parental Leave

Who We Are:

Founded in 2008, AKM LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FedUp Foods PBC, is one of the nation's early producers of kombucha, and one of the largest functional beverage manufacturers in America, offering a diverse portfolio of organic private label functional beverages for top global retailers.

FedUp Foods fuels the growth and success of open-minded, collaborative, and passionate individuals who thrive on teamwork, creativity, and continuous learning. As a proud benefit corporation, we have chosen to make People one of our benefit pillars. We strive to make sure every employee of FedUp Foods feels welcomed, valued, and empowered by fostering a collaborative and adaptable community, providing growth opportunities, and creating a supportive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. Our Values: • Agility • Collaboration • Communication • Lifelong Learning • Community • Gratitude

Job description details:

The ideal candidate is an energetic, servant leader with a passion for making a difference, a positive can-do attitude, and a commitment to innovation with high standards of quality and integrity.

Skilled Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and communicate a clear vision for the future to inspire and drive the operation to achieve business goals (Safety, Quality, Service, and Performance).
• Engage the leadership team and entire workforce, aligning with FedUp Foods Values to maximize productivity and employee engagement.

Operational Strategy

• Develop growth strategies while driving the site Lean Journey.
• Take ownership of financial, operating, and capital budgets, delivering year-over-year savings through cost-saving initiatives.
• Drive improvements through continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide direction, development, evaluation, coaching, and leadership to the operations team.
• Ensure the leadership team actively builds Talent Action plans, focusing on internal talent growth and selectively increasing bench strength with external hires.
• Continually assess the performance and skills of the operations team, holding others accountable and supporting development through stretch assignments and projects.
• Build redundancy to ensure backup for critical positions.

Environmental and Safety Compliance

• Ensure the site Lean Journey captures opportunities for advancing Environmental/Sustainability goals.
• Assure site compliance with EHS Policies and support facility safety, environmental, and health programs.
• Ensure compliance with SQF, GMP, HACCP, Organic Certification, OSHA practices, and all federal, state, and local laws and company policies.

External Relations

• Develop strong relationships with external parties, including government agencies, vendors, and insurance companies.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to drive efficiencies across the broader supply chain.

Production and Quality Assurance

• Provide oversight of all plant production and packaging, brewing, sanitation, training, safety, and quality assurance control.
• Develop and ensure implementation of all standard operating procedures for consistency, quality, and efficiency throughout the production process.
• Support development of and oversee a complete maintenance program for all equipment in the facility.
• Responsible for all production activities and creating schedules in accordance with sales forecasts and demands.

Planning and Coordination

• Facilitates production planning in collaboration with relevant managers.
• Participate in mock recalls and regular audits (GMP, FDA, CCOF, SQF).
• Meet with contractors and sales representatives as needed.
• Recruit and hire as needed in partnership with other managers.
• Ensure all new staff are thoroughly trained by the appropriate manager.
• Willingly perform other duties as needed.

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Follow GMP policy when in the production facility and encourage your team to do the same.
• Understand our SQF policies relating to pest control, visitors, allergen management, and cleaning and sanitation.
• Demonstrate awareness of Management's Commitment to SQF and work towards Food Safety and Quality and help the company meet this commitment.
• If there is a problem that involves food quality and safety, partner with QC Manager so that the CAPA (corrective action, preventative action) log may be filled out, the situation be investigated, and resolved with the goal of continuous improvement of food quality and safety.

Required Skills/Abilities

Startup Leadership

• Prior startup experience preferred.
• Results-driven with a proven leadership track record.
• Strategic thinker with a desire to innovate.

Team Building and Communication

• Builds effective teams, investing time in cultivating talent.
• Relationship builder with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates strong listening skills.
• Enjoys galvanizing a team around shared goals.
• Cultivates an enthusiastic company culture with accountability and ongoing feedback.

Operational Excellence

• Likes autonomy, takes ownership, and is proactive in driving the Operations Management Team.
• Maintains excellent record-keeping with meticulous attention to detail.
• Plans and organizes work efficiently to meet schedules and timelines.
• Driven to maintain the highest sanitation and safety standards in the plant.
• Maintains the highest sanitation and safety standards in the plant.
• Track record in delivering best-in-class manufacturing.
• Expertise in pasteurization and process control methods.
• Ability to troubleshoot both process and mechanical issues effectively.

Regulatory Compliance

• Adheres to shared company ethics and values.
• Mandatory experience with SQF and FDA regulations.
• Understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, HACCP, GMPs, SOPs, AIB, Organic, and Hazard Analysis.
• Experience with wastewater compliance, boiler compliance, and SWPPP Plan preferred.

Analytical and Financial Skills

• Possesses expert-level problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Strong analytical skills, capable of handling complex tasks.
• Strong financial acumen and proven project management skills.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Understanding of complex software and automation processes in the plant.

Process and Technology Expertise

• Expertise in brewing systems, CIP systems, packaging lines, pasteurization, and clarification techniques with a centrifuge.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required - Business, Mechanical Engineering, Food Science or Brewing Science preferred, from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 7yrs progressive experience in a similar role in a manufacturing environment in the food, beverage, or brewing industry.

Equal Opportunity Employer FedUp Foods provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Wilmington, NC 28401: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person