Plant Manager

Founded in 1999, Specialty Herd Solutions is a fast-growing leader in the dairy industry, delivering comprehensive animal care through premium products, innovative equipment, and reliable bulk delivery. We are looking for a customer-focused professional who takes ownership, leads with integrity, and collaborates selflessly to support our clients' success.

About the Role

As a Plant Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of plant operations, including production, safety, quality, maintenance, transportation/logistics, and inventory management. This “hands-on” role ensures efficient, compliant, and cost-effective operations while developing a high-performing workforce and driving a strong culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Operations & Production
  • Participate in and lead daily plant operations to meet production, quality, safety, and cost objectives
  • Optimize batch processes, reduce waste, and troubleshoot off-spec products
  • Develop, implement, and standardize SOPs and best practices across production
  • Monitor and achieve production KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT and applicable regulatory requirements
  • Lead safety programs including PPE, LOTO, confined space, hazard communication, and spill response
  • Promote a strong safety culture and ensure corrective actions are implemented
  • Support and lead audits, inspections, PHAs, and MOCs
• Quality & Chemical Management
  • Oversee product quality, testing standards, and documentation accuracy
  • Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions for quality issues
  • Ensure proper chemical handling, storage, compatibility, and disposal practices
• Maintenance & Reliability
  • Oversee equipment reliability programs, including preventive maintenance and repairs
  • Partner with maintenance teams to improve uptime and reduce failures (MTBF)
  • Ensure proper inspection processes and equipment standards are maintained
• Logistics & Inventory
  • Manage material flow, inventory accuracy, and warehouse operations
  • Design and implement efficient inventory strategies (FIFO/FEFO)
  • Ensure accurate shipping, receiving, and documentation processes
  • Ensure compliance with DOT regulations including driver qualifications, hours of service (HOS), vehicle inspections, and recordkeeping
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Hire, coach, and develop plant personnel
  • Establish performance expectations and accountability measures
  • Build bench strength and succession planning for key roles
  • Foster collaboration across departments (EHS, QA, Maintenance, Supply Chain)
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify operational inefficiencies and implement process improvements
  • Lead cost-saving initiatives and productivity enhancements
  • Utilize data to drive decision-making and operational strategy
• Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Directly supervises production, operations, logistics and/or support staff
  • Responsible for performance management, training, and disciplinary actions
  • Leads cross-functional coordination across plant functions

Requirements

• Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred
  • Minimum 7 years of manufacturing or plant operations experience
  • Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience
  • Strong knowledge of industrial safety and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, DOT, etc.)
  • Demonstrated experience leading teams and improving operational performance
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in chemical manufacturing or regulated environments
  • Knowledge of DOT regulations, fleet management, and transportation compliance
  • Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification
  • Experience with ERP systems and production planning tools
  • Strong mechanical and process troubleshooting background
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs)
  • Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
  • Working knowledge of DOT regulations, driver safety requirements, and fleet compliance
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capability
  • Ability to analyze data and drive performance improvements
  • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Deep understanding of plant operations, safety systems, and quality processes

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk and stand on the production floor for extended periods
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to wear required PPE when in operational areas

Work Environment

• Combination of office and industrial plant environment
• Exposure to noise, chemicals, moving equipment, and varying temperatures
• May require extended hours, weekends, or on-call availability

Why Join Us?

Impact: Play a key role in delivering innovative hoof-care and dairy-equipment solutions that directly improve herd health and producer profitability.

Growth: Grow your career with an industry leader that truly values your expertise.

Rewards: Enjoy a competitive compensation and benefits package within a supportive, team-oriented culture.

Pay

We offer a competitive base compensation range of $90,000 - $100,000 annually with a 10% target bonus. Compensation will be determined by the experience, knowledge, and abilities of the applicant.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• Vacation and sick time
• Generous 401k employer contribution

About Us

Specialty Herd Solutions was founded after recognizing the challenges dairy farmers faced using bagged copper sulfate for hoof care, leading to the development of an easier-to-use, more effective liquid solution. This innovation became the foundation of the company, followed shortly by the installation of its first automated footbath system. Today, Specialty Herd Solutions supports over 30% of U.S. dairy cows as a leading provider of automated hoof care technology. Driven by a mission to modernize animal care, the company delivers sustainable, customized solutions through strong partnerships—offering straightforward, no-hassle service with a focus on improving outcomes for cattle, farm employees, and dairy operations.