Assistant Plant Manager, Manufacturing

Assistant Plant Manager

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Industry: Food/Beverage, High-Speed Fully Automated Manufacturing Setting

ASEPTIC MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE PREFERRED 

Company Overview:

We are a leading food and beverage manufacturing company, operating in a high-speed, fully automated manufacturing setting. Our commitment is to deliver top-quality products to our customers consistently. We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Assistant Plant Manager to join our team. 

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & Production Oversight

• Supervise and coordinate daily activities across production, sanitation, and warehouse departments to ensure smooth, efficient operations.
• Oversee plant start-ups and shut-downs to ensure timely, organized, and safe transitions each operating week.
• Manage day-to-day operations in fresh, frozen, and aseptic production areas, ensuring optimal resource utilization and adherence to schedules.
• Review and execute weekly production plans, ensuring alignment with inventory levels, sales forecasts, and customer order fulfillment.

Staffing & Personnel Development

• Manage all aspects of staffing within production departments, including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance reviews, coaching, and terminations.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of SOPs and employee training programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, communication, and collaboration across all operational teams.

Safety, Cleanliness & Compliance

• Champion a safe working environment by enforcing safety policies, conducting routine safety audits, and supporting corrective actions.
• Promote daily plant cleanliness and organization in compliance with GMP, safety, and internal standards.
• Partner with the QA team to ensure food safety and product quality standards are met and maintained, addressing non-conformances promptly.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyze operational KPIs, including throughput, downtime, yield, labor efficiency, and schedule adherence.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing productivity, reducing waste, and enhancing overall plant performance.
• Collaborate with department leads to identify process bottlenecks and drive corrective actions for sustainable improvement.

Why work for Gregory Packaging Inc.?

• American based company that is 3 generations – family owned
• Highly successful and growth-oriented manufacturing, packaging and distribution juice company
• One of the largest Aseptic, Fresh and Frozen Juice Producers in USA
• Products tailored to Health Care, K-12 Education, Elderly Feeding, Day Care Centers and Prisons
• All juices are packed to USDA and FDA Grade A Standards
• Stable and Essential Employment focused on safety
• National Company that accommodates relocation
• Development and Internal Promotions
• Focus on continuous improvement and technology advancements

Employment with GPI:

• Work life balance! Scheduled Monday-Friday. Off on weekends!
• Weekly Pay
• $200 Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Shift Premiums with overtime available
• 2 Weeks of PTO accrued from date of hire
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits
• Supportive culture for career growth and development

Candidate Requirements:

To excel in this role, the ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications:

• Five to ten years of relevant industrial and manufacturing experience.
• Associates degree in industrial, mechanical, or electrical engineering or equivalent experience. Additional knowledge in manufacturing engineering and operations management is a plus.
• Relevant and up-to-date technical knowledge concerning products, materials, and equipment used in the food processing industry.
• Proficiency in understanding and managing food processing activities and production lines. Ability to provide expertise and technical support to all plant employees, making informed decisions related to equipment, production, and materials.
• Ability to maintain production planning and scheduling, shop loading, expediting and dispatching, purchasing, shipping and receiving, and inventory control functions using existing manufacturing systems.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills to lead teams in producing quality products within schedule and budget constraints. Participation and facilitation of operations-related team meetings.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability