Job Description

Plant Manager

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established, industry-leading manufacturer of liquid supplements for the beef cattle industry, with over fifty years of manufacturing excellence. Known for their highly automated facilities, unwavering commitment to quality, and a people-first culture, this organization has built a reputation as a trusted partner to their customers and a valued employer in their community. This is a company that invests in its people and operates with a clear set of core values that drive everything they do.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking a high-impact Plant Manager to lead all operations at their Fort Morgan, Colorado facility. This is not a caretaker role — it is an opportunity for a results-driven leader to own the full performance of a manufacturing facility, build a winning team culture, and deliver measurable operational excellence. If you are a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environment and has a track record of driving continuous improvement, this role was designed for you.

What You Will Be Expected to Accomplish

The following performance objectives define success in this role. The right candidate will be able to point to similar accomplishments in their background:

In the first 90 days:

• Conduct a thorough assessment of current plant operations, safety protocols, and team dynamics; identify gaps and quick wins
• Build credibility with the plant team by demonstrating visible, engaged leadership on the floor
• Establish a baseline understanding of all key production metrics, maintenance schedules, and regulatory compliance status

Within the first 6 months:

• Develop and implement a structured continuous improvement roadmap, leveraging data-driven decision-making to reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance product quality
• Ensure full OSHA and FDA/FSMA compliance across all operations, including a comprehensive employee training and monitoring program
• Identify and begin closing talent gaps through strategic hiring, onboarding, and coaching initiatives

Within the first year:

• Achieve measurable improvements in safety performance, on-time delivery, and production efficiency
• Build a deep talent pipeline with identifiable bench strength at key positions within the plant
• Lead successful execution of at least one capital or process improvement project
• Establish the facility as audit-ready at all times, with a culture of accountability and operational discipline
• Become a recognized community ambassador, actively representing the company at local and industry events

What "Great" Looks Like in This Role

The ideal candidate is a servant leader who can inspire and hold teams accountable simultaneously. They are equally comfortable analyzing production data, walking the floor, coaching an underperforming employee, and presenting results to senior leadership. Specifically, a top performer in this role will:

• Lead with safety — create a zero-compromise safety culture that goes beyond compliance and becomes a shared team value
• Drive operational excellence — standardize SOPs, enforce EHS best practices, and use metrics to make decisions — not instincts alone
• Develop people — actively mentor, coach, and retain talent; make growing the next generation of leaders a personal priority
• Solve problems decisively — demonstrate the analytical ability to diagnose complex operational issues and implement durable solutions quickly
• Communicate with clarity — effectively bridge communication between the plant floor and senior leadership, escalating issues proactively and driving long-term solutions
• Own the P&L of the plant — exercise fiscal discipline in maintenance execution, preventive maintenance planning, and critical asset management

Ideal Background & Qualifications

Our client is not looking for a specific resume — they are looking for a specific track record. The following qualifications are important context:

• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing or production operations, ideally in a regulated environment (food, feed, agriculture, chemical, or related industries)
• Working knowledge of OSHA, FDA, and FSMA regulations , with a history of maintaining or achieving compliance
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams through hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using production data and KPIs to drive decisions
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization
• Experience with capital project participation and execution is a plus
• Physical ability to perform the demands of the role, including lifting up to 70 lbs. and navigating ladders and stairs
• Must be able to pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen
• Valid authorization to work in the United States

Why This Role? Why Now?

Our client offers a stable, values-driven culture with the resources of an established organization and the feel of a close-knit team. This Plant Manager will have genuine autonomy to lead, a supportive leadership team behind them, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact — on the facility, on the team, and on the community they serve. For the right leader, this is not just a job. It is a career-defining opportunity.

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