Director, Plant Operations

About the Role

The Director, Plant Operations leads all aspects of plant operations (Paragon Plant & Chip Plant) to ensure efficient production of high-quality washed and packaged potato products that consistently meet customer expectations. This role drives operational excellence, controls costs, and maximizes departmental profitability while providing strategic leadership for production, quality, maintenance, shipping, and inventory functions. The position collaborates closely with potato storage leaders to optimize product flow, meet production schedules, and support customer demand.

Responsibilities

• Ensure customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality products on time through effective production planning and daily communication with internal and external sales teams to maximize plant capacity and meet delivery commitments.
• Lead and continuously improve the plant's leadership meeting structure to promote accountability, align priorities, drive operational performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Optimize operational efficiency and long-term profitability by balancing equipment utilization, labor resources, and planned maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize production performance.
• Support the professional growth and development of team members through coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and individualized development plans.
• Lead initiatives to increase revenue and production volume in support of Wysocki Family Farms' return on family capital.
• Participate in leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions, contributing to organizational decision-making, business performance, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Lead capital investment planning and reporting by identifying operational needs, developing business cases, and tracking project performance to ensure alignment with strategic and financial objectives.
• Demonstrate Wysocki Family Farms Core Values through everyday actions, communication, and decision-making to foster a respectful, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and company goals, adapting to business needs with flexibility and teamwork.

Requirements

• High school diploma required; Associate's degree in Business, Operations Management, Agriculture, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of food manufacturing production experience.
• Experience managing large teams and developing a positive workplace culture.

Competencies and Success Factors

• Operational Excellence & Plant Performance: Drives day-to-day plant effectiveness, production efficiency, and overall operational execution across both facilities. Understands production planning and execution, ensuring optimal equipment utilization and minimizing downtime through effective maintenance coordination. Maintains high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance while consistently meeting output and performance targets.
• Financial & Business Acumen: Focuses on profitability, cost control, and long-term value creation. Manages and reduces operating costs while improving margins and leading initiatives that support revenue and production volume growth. Demonstrates capital investment planning and return-on-investment decisions while supporting broader organizational goals.
• Leadership & Talent Development: Builds a strong organizational culture and develops high-performing teams. Leads large, multi-functional teams while actively coaching, mentoring, and supporting individual development and succession planning. Establishes accountability through effective leadership structures and drives employee engagement, cultural alignment, and adherence to Core Values.
• Strategic Alignment & Cross-Functional Integration: Ensures plant operations align with broader business objectives and external partners. Coordinates closely with sales, storage, and customer demand to ensure seamless product flow and inventory management. Actively participates in strategic planning and leadership discussions, translating organizational strategy into effective operational execution across both plants.

Physical Demands

• Moderate walking while tending to various areas in the production line.
• Ability to react quickly to product jams and machine malfunctions.
• Ascend/descend various types of ladders and stairs.
• Move into different positions in various environments, including tight spaces.
• Bend, stoop, squat, and kneel.
• Reach for product and walk moderate distances on concrete floors.
• Lift up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Communicate via voice, listening, and verbal response.
• Read and write to receive instruction, document work, and heed safety warnings.
• Repeat motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers.
• Operate machinery and digital controls.
• Visually inspect work in near/distant scenarios, including peripheral vision and depth perception.

Environmental Conditions

Physical activities are performed in temperature-controlled indoor environments, which may include:

• Noisy environments.
• Slippery and wet floor conditions.
• Exposure to regulated chemicals.
• Dusty or poorly ventilated environments.