Plant Manager

Job Title: Plant Manager Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Plant Manager to lead our manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence, ensure safety compliance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Direct overall plant activities, manage performance metrics, and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Distribution, Supply Planning, Sales, Customer Service, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, track manufacturing and packaging costs, and control waste.
• Ensure full adherence to local, state, and federal regulatory laws, OSHA guidelines, and corporate quality/food safety policies.
• Handle staffing, performance reviews, employee discipline, and long-term succession planning for plant management staff.
• Analyze plant operations to maintain a leadership position in the industry and capitalize on new processes and technologies.
• Utilize Continuous Improvement techniques for expense control, including shrink, yields, labor, and overhead costs.
• Develop annual manufacturing expense and capital budgets in alignment with forecasted sales volumes and planned inventory levels.
• Provide reliable and accurate information to finance to meet end-of-month closing schedules.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all business aspects.
• Implement plant safety programs and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
• Oversee the Food Safety Policy/Program, assessing potential food safety risks and implementing preventive measures.
• Ensure compliance with all corporate, customer, and government audits.
• Maintain environmental compliance.
• Collaborate with other plant managers to share best practices.
• Liaise with Distribution, Supply Planning, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Maintain proper staffing levels, conduct employee performance evaluations, and manage discipline and commendations.
• Oversee the overall succession planning and development of plant management staff.
• Ensure compliance with all divisional and corporate policies and procedures.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a plant operations leadership role, preferably in extended shelf life (ESL)/aseptic fluid dairy food manufacturing operations.
• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Operations Manufacturing Management, or a related field.
• Thorough understanding of regulatory laws, standards, and best practices related to the business.
• Demonstrated understanding of costs related to dairy manufacturing and packaging.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.
• Successful experience in influencing, leading, coaching, and motivating a team in a 'hands-on' environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs, working across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Ability to assess, evaluate, and solve problems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain approachable and accessible to employees on all shifts, and work weekends and holidays as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement techniques.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and quality assurance standards.
• Proficiency in SAP.
• Strong leadership development capabilities.

Why Work Here?

Join a leading company in the dairy industry, known for its top-tier cheese and dairy products. Benefit from competitive pay and a supportive work environment where team spirit is fostered. Enjoy growth and advancement opportunities in a stable, global company. Our facilities are well-maintained, clean, and organized, providing a pleasant work environment.

Work Environment

The facility operates in a 24/7 dairy manufacturing environment with steady benefits and physical demands. It offers a structured and predictable setting suitable for those accustomed to industrial and manufacturing environments. Flexibility is required to adapt to staffing and management dynamics.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Frederick, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $126000.00 - $160000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Saputo Foods in Frederick, Maryland, offers a comprehensive benefits package typical of the broader Saputo Cheese USA Inc. network.

Health & Wellness

Health & Dental Insurance: PPO+ health insurance plans and dental coverage. Health Savings & Flexible Spending: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contributions ($500 for single or $1,000 for family coverage) alongside Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Preventive Incentives: Annual health check-up incentives (e.g., $200 rewards).

Financial & Retirement

401(k) Plan: Company-sponsored 401(k) with a 100% employer match up to 5% (fully vested on day one). Stock & Investment: Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and stock investment options. Bonus & Pay Structure: Competitive hourly wages and salaries, plus variable or quarterly bonus opportunities depending on the department.

Leave & Time Off

Vacation & Paid Time Off: Standard annual vacation days, paid holidays, and combined sick/personal time (such as 56 hours of combined sick and personal leave reported for full-time roles). Family Leave: Maternity and paternity leave (with specific service requirements for family medical leave). Bereavement Leave: Paid time off for family loss.

Perks & Additional Benefits

Employee Perks: Free and discounted dairy products/cheese throughout the year and access to an employee store. Training & Development: On-the-job training, service awards, and internal career growth programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Frederick, MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Frederick,MD.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.