Plant Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPops mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Manager to oversee the daily operations of our manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain management, quality assurance, and team leadership, along with a passion for delivering high-quality frozen products to customers. The Plant Manager will be responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, and optimization of production lines, ensuring smooth and efficient operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production Oversight :

Manage all aspects of the Elk River manufacturing facility, ensuring efficient, timely, and high-quality output.

Monitor daily production schedules, ensuring targets are met while maintaining safety and product quality.

Develop and implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance production capacity, product quality, and operational efficiency.

Operational Strategy and Planning :

Work with senior leaders to set long-term and short-term production goals, budgeting, and resource allocation.

Optimize production processes, implement best practices, and drive cost reduction initiatives without compromising quality.

Partner in the forecasting and planning process for production volumes, materials, and staffing.

Maintenance and Engineering Partnership :

Partner with the Engineering and Maintenance teams to :

Oversee the maintenance program for production equipment and facilities, ensuring the prevention of downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.

Develop and implement a preventative maintenance schedule for all production machinery, refrigeration systems, and other critical equipment.

Be a liaison for relationships with external maintenance contractors and service providers to ensure timely repairs and servicing of equipment.

Work closely with the maintenance team to troubleshoot and resolve equipment malfunctions, minimizing production disruptions.

Ensure that maintenance operations comply with safety standards, industry regulations, and best practices.

Team Leadership and Development :

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of supervisors, managers, and production staff, ensuring alignment with company goals and values.

Conduct regular performance reviews, provide coaching, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Promote a safe, healthy, and engaging workplace environment, addressing employee concerns and maintaining high morale.

Cost Management and Budgeting :

Develop and manage budgets for production operations, working to meet or exceed financial targets.

Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives to improve operational profitability.

Monitor production costs, labor costs, and material expenses to ensure efficient use of resources.

Health & Safety Standards :

Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations, including OSHA standards.

Promote a culture of safety on the production floor, with regular training and safety audits.

Address any safety incidents promptly and implement corrective actions.

Collaboration and Communication :

Coordinate with other departments (engineering, supply chain, quality, sales, marketing, R&D, and distribution) to ensure alignment on production goals and timelines.

Report regularly to senior leadership on key performance metrics, including production efficiency, quality, and cost control.

Participate in the development of new product initiatives, providing operational insights for production feasibility.

Food Safety Responsibilities

Ensure all frozen novelty products meet established safety, quality, and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, HACCP, USDA).

Partner with Quality leadership to develop and implement quality control protocols, inspection procedures, and corrective actions to maintain product excellence.

Participate in regular audits and inspections of production facilities, addressing issues proactively.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.

A Master's degree or MBA is a plus.

Experience :

At least 7-10 years of experience in operations management, with a strong background in manufacturing, ideally in the food or beverage industry.

Proven leadership experience managing production teams in a fast-paced, high-volume, 24 / 7 manufacturing environment.

Experience with both batch and continuous production systems, and familiarity with frozen food production processes.

Hands-on experience overseeing maintenance activities, including equipment troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and working with maintenance teams.

Skills & Competencies :

Strong understanding of production processes, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.).

Expertise in production scheduling, capacity planning, and inventory management.

In-depth knowledge of maintenance management systems and practices.

Ability to manage cross-functional teams and communicate effectively across departments.

Deep knowledge of industry-specific safety standards, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and driving cost efficiency.

Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and project management skills.

Advanced proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Attributes :

Results-driven and detail-oriented, with a passion for operational excellence.

Collaborative and approachable, able to work effectively with all levels of staff and management.

Strong ability to lead through change, inspire teams, and maintain a positive work environment.

Physical Requirements :

Ability to work in a production environment with exposure to loud machinery, temperature-controlled areas, and other standard manufacturing conditions.

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, stand for extended periods, and walk through the production floor.

Expected Pay Range :

$150,000 - $180,000 annual salary

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following :

• Medical / Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• DCFSA
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• FTO / PTO
• EAP Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• Sick & Safe Leave
• 401k
• Company Sponsored Meal Plan
• Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and / or commissions.

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