About this opportunity
Balchem Corporation lists this Food Plant Director: Safety, Quality & Growth opportunity in albert lea, Minnesota. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Company Overview
Balchem is committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions for the health and nutritional needs of the world. Balchem employs approximately 1,400 employees worldwide who provide the service, quality, and technology that enables our customers to win with their customers. We have built a reputation for delivering results to all of our stakeholders. Founded in 1967, Balchem, a Maryland corporation, became a publicly-traded company in 1970 and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BCPC.” Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the U.S. and Europe. The Company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.
Company Overview
Balchem is committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions for the health and nutritional needs of the world. Balchem employs approximately 1,400 employees worldwide who provide the service, quality, and technology that enables our customers to win with their customers. We have built a reputation for delivering results to all of our stakeholders. Founded in 1967, Balchem, a Maryland corporation, became a publicly-traded company in 1970 and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BCPC.” Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the U.S. and Europe. The Company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.
Position Summary
The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operational leadership, safety, quality, financial performance, and continuous improvement of one manufacturing facility producing extruded and agglomerated food. Provides both short-term tactical plans and long term strategic plans to the various business groups represented at the sites. This role ensures the facility operates efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and food safety standards, while aligning operations with corporate strategy and growth objectives. The position is located in Albert Lea, MN.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience managing complex, regulated manufacturing environments, leading diverse leadership teams, and driving performance across multiple departments.
Essential Functions
Operational & Strategic Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple business and plants, ensuring consistent performance, operational discipline, and delivery of customer commitments.
Communicate, develop and execute site-level strategies aligned with business goals for production, quality, cost, and service
Provide detailed communication, with strategic and hands-on leadership for multiple departments, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations
Establish standardized operating practices, performance metrics, and governance across the facility
Ensure production plans meet customer demand while optimizing throughput, yield, and asset utilization
Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and chemical process safety (PSM) requirements
Oversee process safety, materials handling, dust control, waste management, and environmental stewardship programs
Lead audits, inspections, and corrective action plans related to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance
Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety policies and procedures, conducting regular safety audits, and promoting a culture of safety awareness among employees
Leadership & Talent Development
Directly lead site leadership teams, through daily example
Build strong leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and succession planning
Foster collaboration and alignment across Operations, EHS, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and HR
Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
Maintenance, Reliability & Engineering
Oversee asset reliability, preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
Ensure effective management of aging assets, preventive maintenance programs, and spare parts strategies
Partner with Engineering on plant upgrades, expansions, debottlenecking, and automation projects
Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership
Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives across site
Drive standardization of systems, processes, and reporting
Operational efficiencies to utilize staff in a cost effective way
Lead change management initiatives to support growth and transformation
Ensure learning from gaps quality and customer performance are institutionalized in plant processes and practices.
Financial & Business Performance
Drive productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives without compromising safety or quality
Support strategic initiatives such as plant expansions, new product introductions, and process optimization
Requirements
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, Manufacturing, or related field
Experience
5-10+ years of progressive manufacturing or processing leadership experience
Experience leading in food regulated environments with strong safety initiatives
Demonstrated success managing multiple complex manufacturing departments
Knowledge & Skills
Deep understanding of employee and food safety, quality systems, nutrient production, and regulatory requirements
Proven financial and operational acumen, including cost management
Experience with asset-intensive operations, R&D production coordination, and reliability-focused maintenance strategies
Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills
The expected salary range for this position is $160,000 - $180,0000 per year.
#IND123
Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.
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Worksite address
albert lea, MN, 56007, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.