Plant Manager

We are partnered with a high-speed co-packing facility in a growth phase to identify a  Plant Manager for Beverage Manufacturing . Looking for someone who is hands-on with leadership, talent cultivation, and process engineering.

Job Title: Plant Manager (Operations & Strategy)

Location:  Lake Mary, FL 

Role Overview

As the Plant Manager, you are the cornerstone of them scaling operations. You won’t just manage a facility; you will grow it. We are looking for a  'player-coach'  who thrives on the floor, can scale a team up to 280+ associates , and has the technical grit to design high-speed bottling/canning processes from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Startup Process Architecture: Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)for high-speed canning and bottling lines, ensuring seamless transition from 'startup chaos' to 'operational excellence'.
• Talent & Culture Building: Directly recruit, mentor, and upskill a diverse workforce of up to 280 associates. You will be responsible for creating career paths , reducing turnover through engagement, and fostering a 'safety-first' culture.
• Metrics & KPI Ownership: Establish and own critical performance data, including OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) , First Pass Yield (FPY) , and labor efficiency metrics to drive data-backed decision-making.
• High-Speed Operations: Oversee high-velocity production shifts, ensuring equipment reliability through Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)and quick changeover protocols for diverse copacking clients.
• Hands-On Problem Solving: Spend 60-70% of your time on the floor, identifying bottlenecks in real-time and working alongside supervisors to troubleshoot mechanical or flow issues.
• Compliance & Quality: Build the framework for ensuring every bottle and can meets rigorous customer specifications.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8+ years in beverage manufacturing leadership, with at least 3 years in a high-speed canning/bottling environment.
• Startup Grit: Proven track record of taking a facility through a rapid growth phase or 'greenfield' startup.
• Leadership: Experience managing large teams (200+ employees) with a focus on hands-on mentorship rather than 'office-only' management.
• Technical Savvy: Expert knowledge of filling technology, automated packaging, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.