Job Description

Description

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role. 

About Fresh Texas

As the largest fresh-cut fruit and vegetable processor in South Texas, Fresh Texas has been delivering the highest quality products to our customers for over forty years. We source only the highest quality ingredients to deliver great tasting, healthy products to our customers. With exciting innovation, we keep growing!

Fresh Texas is proud to offer high quality and healthy foods to our communities! Do you want to grow with a trusted and established company? We offer great career paths! Come grow with us!

Job Overview
The Plant Manager position directs and manages all plant operations with overall responsibilities for production, maintenance, other production-related activities.  Production takes place across two buildings on the same campus.  The Plant Manager is a critical part of our leadership team, ensuring that our plant operations delivery safe, high-quality products at the most efficient cost.  The ideal candidate is a team player, focused on people development and financial performance of the operation. 

Responsibilities & Duties

• Direct and manage plant operations for production and maintenance. 
• Coordinate plant activities with support from food safety and quality, EH&S, planning, procurement, warehouse operations, and other departmental functions to ensure the total manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.  Success is defined as no food safety or quality issues, superior customer service, and a cost-effective overall operation. 
• Develop and control plans and budget.
• Implement cost effective systems of control over capital, operating expenditures, manpower, wages and salaries. 
• Work with Continuous Improvement team implementing Lean practices and Kaizen identified cost savings projects. 
• Core to this role is the management of scheduling and staffing for the plant to ensure optimal use of personnel with minimal overtime.
• Oversee production planning to ensure efficient schedules are delivered that drive lowest cost.
• Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards, including compliance with established HACCP plans.
• Collect and analyze data to find sources of waste and yield loss.  Implement appropriate correction measures to improve upon performance in these areas.
• Control and minimize labor overtime and repair expenses.
• Maintain existing plant facilities and equipment, replacing or adjusting plant facilities and equipment when necessary. 
• Implement and maintain preventative maintenance programs. 
• Incorporate shop floor organization and plant cleanliness among plant personnel. 
• Provide leadership and training to accomplish the company goals and objectives. 
• Provides direction, development and leadership to production managers and supervisors. 
• Support test runs in the plant along with new customer launches. 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position manages all employees of the department and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within that department. 

Benefits

• Complete insurance package that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Several low-cost supplemental plans.
• 401(k) with up to a 4% employer match.
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off.
• A variety of bonus opportunities including attendance and referral programs.
• Numerous employee appreciation events throughout the year.

Qualifications

Competencies

• Leadership 
• Communication Proficiency (oral and written) 
• Decision Making 
• Problem Solving / Analysis 
• Financial Management 
• Business Acumen 
• People Development / Coaching 
• Lean Manufacturing 
• Computer literacy, specifically plant floor operational systems, ERP plant floor and Excel 

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to a cold temperature (38 – 42 degrees).  There is a great deal of walking requiring.  The noise level in the work environment can be loud and hearing protection is available. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to twenty-five pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position.  The plant operates on a seven-day schedule and some weekend work may be required.  General production hours are from 5:00 am through midnight with sanitation activities from midnight to 5:00 am. 

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected on an infrequent basis.  

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in related field or five years plant/general management experience in a manufacturing environment. 

• Experience with managing a large hourly workforce preferred. 
• Experience with fresh produce is desired but not required. 
• Past experience should include working in a fast-paced environment. 

EEO Statement 

Fresh Texas is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service or protected veteran, or other non-merit factor.