Plant Manager

This role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business helping our network of local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers serve producers, and animal owners throughout the United States. Through industry -leading R&D and committed partnerships, we innovate the nutrition products and practices that unlock the full potential of every animal for a healthier, more productive life. 

As the Plant Manager for our Gainesville, GA location, you’ll be at the forefront of driving excellence in safety, quality, sanitation, cost management, customer service, production, and employee relations. Championing feed manufacturing, quality, optimizing plant assets through the use data and AI, and fostering a culture of positive employee relations.

Statesville is a packaging focused lifestyle facility in our Animal Nutrition network operating 16 - 24 hours per day, 5 days per week. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the facility, developing and executing strategies, managing resources to maximize profitability, and meeting and/or exceeding customer expectations.

Required Experience/Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree. Demonstrated work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing experience, demonstrating strong leadership, a track record of delivering sustainable results, and proven success in LEAN, Six Sigma, CTS (cost-to-serve), and Employee Relations.

• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration, enhancing plant culture and driving business results through effective people leadership and development.

• Skilled in developing strategic plans and translating them into actionable initiatives for site improvement.

• Proven experience in leading manufacturing transformation and change management efforts that result in cost savings and a stronger plant culture.

Required Competencies/Skills:

• Lead and motivate plant staff at all levels to achieve operational goals.

• Champion human and product safety.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (EHS, Quality, R&D, Strategic Operations, Finance, Sales, etc.).

• Apply technical expertise to solve problems and deliver high-quality animal products.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, the community, and customers through authentic and meaningful engagement.

• Set and communicate clear strategic direction; execute with excellence.

• Advise operations management on long-term goals and drive performance in cost, quality, safety, people, and environment.

• Drive innovation and reliability through the application of AI, automation, and advanced technologies

• Implement cost-saving initiatives for continuous improvement.

• Assess and implement organizational changes to meet budget and cost-to-serve objectives.

• Demonstrate financial acumen in evaluating plant efficiency, material yield, and labor productivity.

• Develop and manage capital budgets.

• Resolve issues in quality, logistics, sourcing, and engineering within a matrix organization.

• Oversee employee relations and manufacturing policies.

• Integrate support functions to achieve plant and business objectives.

• Review and update GMP programs as needed.

• Communicate effectively, deliver impactful presentations, and influence others.

Preferred Experience/Education:  

• Progressive manufacturing experience in animal feed is highly desired. 

• Lean/Continuous Improvement certifications 

Salary: $107,680 - $161,520

In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.    

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT. 

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