Plant Manager

About the role

L.A. Darling Company LLC is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and long-term planning of our manufacturing site. Reporting to the Vice President of Manufacturing, this role is critical to ensuring that all production activities align with organizational goals for safety, delivery, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans for manufacturing operations to support company growth and objectives.
• Align production targets with corporate goals, ensuring production efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines are met.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate corporate initiatives into plant operations, ensuring consistency and compliance with standards.
• Lead annual planning for the plant, including budgeting, production forecasting, and resource allocation to achieve strategic targets.
• Oversee daily plant operations to meet production goals safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
• Apply best practices in resource allocation, process optimization, and production scheduling to enhance productivity.
• Manage supply chain activities, including procurement and inventory control, to ensure materials availability and reduce downtime.
• Implement a quality management strategy aligned with organizational goals and customer expectations.
• Standardize quality processes across production to minimize variability and defects.
• Foster a culture of quality, encouraging proactive identification and resolution of quality issues among employees.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align plant operations with broader business strategies.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including finance, sales, HR, sourcing, and engineering, to ensure cohesive project implementation, resource sharing, and aligned objectives.
• Regularly communicate with group leadership regarding plant performance, challenges, and strategic priorities.
• Manage day-to-day manufacturing operations to meet production and efficiency targets.
• Implement operational standards across departments, including production, quality, maintenance, and logistics.
• Drive cost control, productivity improvements, and process optimization using data analysis, KPIs, and Lean methodologies.
• Develop and drive a CI strategy to enhance plant performance.
• Cultivate a continuous improvement culture, encouraging employee engagement and innovation.
• Lead and prioritize CI initiatives across functions to achieve operational excellence, and track results against KPI targets.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, fostering a culture of safety across all levels.
• Work with the EHS manager to implement safety programs and conduct audits to reduce operational risks.
• Address incidents and compliance issues, applying corrective actions as needed.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and high performance to support individual and organizational growth.
• Build a collaborative plant culture that drives high performance and accountability.
• Partner with HR to implement training and development programs, ensuring upskilling and succession planning for key roles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a senior plant leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, lean principles, quality control, supply chain management, and financial acumen.
• Proven ability to lead large teams, drive cultural change, and develop a high-performance workplace.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to make strategic decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of presenting complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Effective at making timely, informed decisions in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions, embrace innovation, and drive continuous improvement.
• Track record of achieving measurable improvements in delivery, quality, efficiency, and cost savings.
• Ability to align plant and corporate goals, prioritize objectives, and adapt strategies to changing demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with stakeholders across departments and reporting structures.
• Data-driven decision making skills, skilled in leveraging KPIs, financial metrics, and operational data to drive continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in leading change within dynamic environments, balancing competing priorities and fostering buy-in from multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and motivate both team and peers in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience in implementing and managing lean manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and quality management systems.
• Experience with ERP systems and supply chain management.
• Ability to manage budgets and forecast production.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Manufacturing Processes
• Lean Principles
• Quality Control
• Safety and Environmental Regulations
• Supply Chain Management
• Financial Acumen
• Team Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Data-Driven Decision Making

Benefits

A competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible hours to accommodate plant operations.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit our careers page at careers.marmon.com. For more information about L.A. Darling Company LLC, please contact us at info@ladarling.com.