Plant Manager OPERATIONS/PRODUCTION/ SKILLED TRADES PLANT MANAGER Food companies can range from small singlefacility operations to large global corporations. No matter the size, companies need individuals who manage the operations of each manufacturing facility. Think of food companies in the same way as you think of school systems. Like every school has a principal, every processing facility has a plant manager to ensure things are running correctly. Depending on the company’s size, a plant manager may also be called a production manager. Companies may use these terms interchangeably when operating as a single processing facility. Sometimes, the plant manager may even be the company’s owner! This article will focus on the types of plant managers that manage food processing facilities as part of multi-facility organizations. 1. Plant Manager Manage Production Plants Plant managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of individual food processing facilities. They manage people and operations to meet organizational goals and meet customer demands. Additionally, plant managers supervise production workers’ hiring, orientation, and training. At the front of any plant manager’s job is ensuring their workers are safe. They act as health and safety champions, actively participating in safety training and collaborating with the Health and Safety department. Moreover, plant managers focus on continuous improvement. They collaborate with their teams, employ data-driven decision-making, and may use Lean and Six Sigma methodologies for process enhancement. In conjunction with physical to worker safety, plant managers also need to ensure that foods are produced safely. To do so they collaborate with food safety teams, striking a balance between productivity, safety, and product quality. Furthermore, financial management is essential to their role, requiring a strong understanding of accounting and budgeting. Plant managers meet production targets while keeping operating costs in check, ensuring efficient resource allocation. 2. Plant Managers Manage People and Operations At the heart of any food facility plant managers are the people. Plant managers are responsible for directing workers both in ways that keep them safe and in ways that they can do their jobs well. They take a people-first approach where they value people as individuals, determining the tasks best suited for them. They must balance meeting company quotas while keeping staff morale high. Effective plant managers know how to motivate their staff and create developmental plans. In addition to managing plant workers, plant managers also need to work with other upper management staff. Running a manufacturing facility is a collaborative experience requiring the expertise of multiple individuals. Plant managers maintain regular contact with procurements, sales, and marketing teams. For example, plant managers may need to work closely with procurement management if an expedited shipment is required before a production run. Overall, plant managers work with corporate management teams to keep them wholly informed on key operational and production conditions and trends. 3. Plant Managers Have Various Educational Backgrounds Within the food industry, you will find plant managers with various education and experience backgrounds. Some companies may require these professionals to have a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, industrial management, or business. Other employers may seek applicants with a degree in a technical field related to their manufacturing operations. In addition to their education, many plant managers have certifications in production related to production such as Lean Six Sigma. Becoming a plant manager isn’t a role someone would enter directly after graduation. Plant Manager Expertly managing efficient food production facilities Photo by dusanpetkovic/canva.com 46
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