Plant Operations Manager

The Plant Operations Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations within a food processing facility specializing in the production of food flavors, colors, seasonings, and ingredient solutions. The role oversees production, quality, safety, maintenance, sanitation, warehousing, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with FDA, GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, and other applicable regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations across all production departments.
• Develop and execute production schedules to meet customer demand.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, GMP, HACCP, SQF/BRC, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee production, quality, maintenance, sanitation, warehouse, and inventory operations.
• Lead food safety and regulatory audits and corrective actions.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage operating budgets, labor efficiency, waste reduction, and cost control.
• Coach and develop supervisors and managers through performance management and succession planning.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Customer Service to meet business objectives.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and operational excellence.

Key Performance Indicators

• Production Efficiency
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• On-Time Delivery
• Labor Efficiency
• Waste Reduction
• Cost per Unit Produced
• Downtime Reduction
• Customer Complaints
• First Pass Yield
• Food Safety Audit Scores
• OSHA Recordable Incident Rate
• Inventory Accuracy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 7–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years managing supervisors and department managers.
• Experience in food processing, flavor, color, or ingredient manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, Lean Manufacturing, HACCP, SQF, FDA, and OSHA.

Preferred Certifications

• SQF Practitioner
• HACCP Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour
• Certified Food Safety Manager

Success Profile

• Delivers safe, high-quality products.
• Maintains an audit-ready facility.
• Improves efficiency while controlling costs.
• Develops high-performing teams.
• Drives continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Gold Coast Ingredients, Inc. (GCI) is a privately held, wholesale flavor and color manufacturer that has been satisfying taste since 1985. We are capable of serving all types of industries from food and beverage to nutraceutical and oral care. We work with customers to create custom formulations in a variety of forms including powder, spray-dried (encapsulated), freeze-dried, liquid, emulsion, and extracts that are compatible with any requirements.