The Plant Manager is responsible for coordinating, directing, leading, guiding, and managing areas of the plant consistent with company policies and procedures as well as with federal, state and local law.  Will be accountable for the management and safety of employees, high quality products being produced, budgeting and the profitability of the facility.  The Plant Manager develops processes that will maximize stewardship, safety, quality, culture, customer relations, and productivity. This role has direct supervisory responsibility for all operations management and hourly team members with an expanded dotted line responsibility for a variety of support groups when department heads are not present (i.e., Sanitation, Shipping, Maintenance & Engineering). Will work closely with Human Resources and production teams in hire and train staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Initiate and maintain a safe workplace in accordance with regulatory and plant policies by maintaining effective safety and ergonomic programs and proactively correcting deficiencies to meet company goals of an injury free workplace.
• Responsible for communicating necessary feedback updates, up through STF leadership that pertain to the shift’s activities.
• Be an active member, leading and facilitating our Safety Committee.
• Implement and attain goals to reduce injuries and cost per claim of injuries.
• Responsible for team members for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all shift operations; ensure all operating procedures are followed and correct and/or update when needed.
• Ensure employee safety training, assist in the identification of and correction of safety hazards and ergonomic issues.
• Ensure all staff and employees know and understand CCP’s, HACCP and SSOP documents/plans.
• Maintain product failures and foreign material issues are kept at a minimum; continue efforts for improvement.
• Responsible for overseeing all plant activity within all departments of the shift including supporting areas.
• Serve as a contact person for vendors and suppliers.
• Initiate and modify as necessary methods of ensuring production goals are met, including product quality per food safety requirements and specifications, efficiency, hours, cost and safety to remain efficient and competitive.
• Develop and manage a system that tracks labor, product and packaging costs that result in a reduction to the budget.
• Carries out managerial/supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the companies policies and applicable laws.
• Responsible for plant labor, raw material utilization, yields, supplies and waste reduction to ensure they are being managed in the most efficient manner.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training employees, planning, directing and assigning work; appraising performance; rewarding and counseling employees when necessary to maintain a high standard of employee relations.
• Facilitate training and development sessions that develops the skills and education of company leaders.
• Develop and manage a strong productive working relationship with the UFCW, Local 2. Ensuring compliance with our collective bargaining agreement.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the work environment, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required or preferred.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (agriculture, animal science or business) plus ten years of plant experience or the combination of education and experience that enables performance in all aspects of the position, including supervisory experience.  Well-developed management skills utilizing sound management principles in leading a team of employees.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Ability to write reports and business correspondence.  Ability to effectively manage time and meet all specified deadlines.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents in the English language such as safety files, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Must be able to effectively communicate with USDA, production and management personnel.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply mathematical applications to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to use computers and all standard programs used by the industry and the ability to learn and effectively use any and all other computer programs that are or will be made available. 

BACKUP PERSONNEL: In the absence of the Plant Manager, the Plant Superintendent will assume responsibilities for overseeing food safety and quality assurance programs.

MISSION, VISION, & VALUES: Must believe and lead STF’s MISSION of producing quality pork products, igniting the passion and growth of our team members, helping our community thrive, and making our business prosperous. Remembering that together we will achieve more by working safely and cultivating an inclusive and empowering environment.  Must believe and fully engage in STF’s VISION of being a place where we all belong, working as one, to build our future. Must live STF’s VALUES in all decisions, behaviors, and interactions, which include-

SAFETY- Be committed to the safety and welfare of all employees through prevention, education, and awareness, with the ultimate goal of eliminating workplace accidents.

QUALITY- Our customers and families depend on us to provide a safe, quality product, by maintaining the highest food safety standards and desired customer specifications. Must take pride in the products we produce and serve.

DIVERSITY- We embrace diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviors across our company and our work. By promoting these values, we aim to create a positive work experience that encourage a sense of belonging.

COMMUNITY- Be a positive representative of STF in our community while supporting the organizations who work for the betterment of Siouxland.

SUSTAINABILITY- Be a steward of the earth by managing our environmental footprint.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to move about the facility.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle; or feel/hold objects; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; speak; hear taste and smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Individual must be able to effectively work in a normal production environment where temperatures and noise levels may vary.