What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager position at Gables Search Group?
Plant Manager – Aseptic Packaging Operations | Food Manufacturing
We’re looking for a strong, experienced leader to oversee day-to-day operations at a rapidly growing aseptic food packaging facility near Youngstown, PA. This role is ideal for someone who understands how to balance people, process, and production in a packaging environment—and who thrives in the details of scheduling, compliance, and continuous improvement.
The facility is transitioning through a major modernization phase, and we’re building the right team and structure to support consistent growth. With a solid foundation in place, we’re seeking a Plant Manager who can bring discipline to operations, develop high-performing teams, and improve performance metrics across every department.
FULL RELOCATION PROVIDED
Summary
We’re looking for a strong, experienced leader to oversee day-to-day operations at a rapidly growing aseptic food packaging facility near Youngstown, PA. This role is ideal for someone who understands how to balance people, process, and production in a packaging environment—and who thrives in the details of scheduling, compliance, and continuous improvement.
The facility is transitioning through a major modernization phase, and we’re building the right team and structure to support consistent growth. With a solid foundation in place, we’re seeking a Plant Manager who can bring discipline to operations, develop high-performing teams, and improve performance metrics across every department.
FULL RELOCATION PROVIDED
Summary
- Full operational ownership—production, quality, maintenance, and planning
- Currently operating on one shift with plans to scale into multiple
- Hands-on, flexible team environment focused on results and accountability
- Oversee daily operations including batching, processing, aseptic filling, and shipping
- Supervise a cross-functional team across production, maintenance, quality, and sanitation
- Implement scheduling, labor plans, and shift structure as production scales
- Establish KPIs to track throughput, downtime, labor, yield, and efficiency
- Support food safety and regulatory systems including GMP, HACCP, and SQF
- Guide the team through system changes and support training on new platforms
- Monitor equipment performance and work closely with maintenance to ensure uptime
- Be a visible, floor-oriented leader—supporting recruitment, accountability, and team development
- Help build out systems and workflows that support future expansion
- BS/BA required; engineering or related technical degree preferred
- 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in food or beverage filling or high-speed packaging manufacturing environment
- Direct experience in aseptic processing, high-speed packaging, canning or sterile fill operations is required
- Strong understanding of MS Office, ERP systems; implementation experience is a plus
- Six-sigma or lean certifications are preferred
- Ability to implement structure and coach teams through change
- Strong communication skills and a hands-on leadership approach
- Comfortable leading in a fast-paced, evolving environment with minimal bureaucracy
