About this opportunity
LHH lists this Plant Manager opportunity in oak lawn, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Plant Manager
LHH is seeking an experienced Plant Manager; in Oak Lawn, IL who will lead all aspects of operations for a high-volume food manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable production while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and employee engagement. This direct hire role oversees production, maintenance, warehousing, quality assurance, inventory control, and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve company goals and customer expectations.
Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 annually (commensurate with experience) +15% bonus
Key Responsibilities
Direct daily plant operations, including production, packaging, maintenance, sanitation, and warehousing.
Ensure production targets, quality standards, food safety requirements, and customer commitments are consistently met.
Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs), including productivity, labor efficiency, yield, waste reduction, downtime, and on-time delivery.
Lead compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
Manage plant budgets, operating expenses, and cost-reduction initiatives.
Develop, coach, and lead supervisors, managers, and hourly team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement initiatives.
Oversee preventive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and operational performance.
Partner with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Sales to support business objectives.
Lead safety programs, audits, inspections, and corrective actions to ensure a safe work environment.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
5+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing.
3+ years in a Plant Manager or senior manufacturing leadership role.
Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, SQF, and food safety regulations.
Experience managing budgets, direct-to-consumer food manufacturing, production planning, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
Key Competencies
Leadership • Strategic Planning • Food Safety & Quality • Process Improvement • Financial Management • Problem Solving • Change Management • Project Management • Communication & Collaboration
Success Metrics
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Production Efficiency & Throughput
Cost Control & Budget Performance
Employee Engagement & Retention
On-Time Customer Deliveries
Quality & Customer Satisfaction
Safety Performance & Incident Reduction
Continuous Improvement Results
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision
401K + Match
3 weeks PTO
Paid sick leave where applicable by state law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Worksite address
oak lawn, IL, 60454, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.