Plant Manager

As a Plant Manager at Schwan’s Company, you’ll oversee all aspects of the production and packaging processes in our Salina facility. Your role will include supervising teams, ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines, managing performance evaluations, and preparing operational reports. You will also be responsible for continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality and cost reduction.

The Plant Manager position at Schwan’s Company requires a high school diploma, with a bachelor's degree preferred. You'll need at least four years of experience in food industry manufacturing, including two years in a supervisory role. Familiarity with USDA, FDA, and BRC regulations, along with intermediate knowledge of robotics in production, is highly beneficial for candidates.

The salary range for the Plant Manager position at Schwan’s Company is between $58,500 and $97,500 annually, plus eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The specific pay will be determined based on various factors, including education, skills, experience, and geographical location.

At Schwan’s Company, we believe in the growth of our employees. As a Plant Manager, you'll have access to comprehensive training programs designed to develop your leadership skills and operational abilities. We encourage continuous improvement and provide resources to stay up-to-date with industry standards and food safety regulations.

Safety is a top priority at Schwan’s Company. In your role as Plant Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, promoting a safe work environment, and complying with relevant regulations. You’ll lead safety initiatives while fostering a culture of shared responsibility among the teams.

In the interview, express your knowledge of USDA regulations and describe specific strategies, such as regular audits of processes and continuous staff training on compliance topics. Emphasize your commitment to maintaining high standards and your experience in handling audits.

Focus on your conflict resolution skills. Describe a situation where you successfully mediated a conflict by promoting open communication and understanding. Highlight the importance of teamwork and fostering a supportive environment.

Share your approach to quality assurance, mentioning specific tools or protocols you've implemented, such as KPI tracking, quality checks, and consistent communication with the quality assurance team to ensure product standards are met.

Bring up a specific example where you identified a bottleneck or inefficiency in the production process. Explain the steps you took to address the issue, the outcome, and how it benefited the overall operation.

Talk about your philosophy on employee development. Describe creating individual development plans for team members, offering mentoring opportunities, and facilitating ongoing training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge.

Discuss your experience in developing efficient production schedules that meet operational goals. Highlight your ability to balance production demands with available resources and adapt schedules as needed.

Illustrate how you assess tasks based on urgency and importance. Share a method such as the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks and your experience in staying organized while leading multiple teams.

Discuss relevant food safety initiatives you’ve implemented or improved. Highlight your knowledge of HACCP and how you ensure your team adheres to food safety protocols to protect consumers and the brand.

Explain your strategies for promoting open communication through regular team meetings, updates on production goals, and utilizing collaborative tools to facilitate discussions and feedback.

Express your belief that as a Plant Manager, fostering a positive team environment is crucial. Discuss approaches such as recognizing achievements, encouraging collaboration, and creating a culture of respect and support to boost morale and productivity.