Voyage Foods hiring Plant Director (GM) in Mason, OH | LinkedIn (2024)

Who we are

At Voyage Foods, our mission is to make delicious, sustainable and accessible foods that are better for people and the planet. All of our products work together to support and sustain a food system designed for everyone, now and into the future. We're a team of food scientists, CPG experts, and professionals with a passion for making good food available for generations to come.

What do peanut butter, chocolate and coffee have in common? They're some of our favorite foods, but are inaccessible and unsustainable. That's why we created our Nut-Free Spreads, Cocoa-Free Chocolate and Bean-Free Coffee. From food allergies to climate change and unjust labor practices, the foods we love are in serious need of an upgrade. Our future-proofed foods are top 9 allergen-free, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, affordable and most importantly, utterly delicious.

Earlier this year, we were proud to announce our global B2B partnership with Cargill and our $52 million Series A+ raise, in a round co-led by Level One Fund and Horizons Ventures, bringing our total funding raised to over $94 million. This funding is earmarked for hiring additional headcount, meeting greater than anticipated consumer and commercial demand, funding expanded manufacturing facilities, and building out our foodservice channel. It is a great time to join us on our voyage!

How we work

We're a rapidly growing team who value diversity in all its forms. We love adding new perspectives and appreciate those who ask questions that help us challenge assumptions, explore new directions, bias towards action, and improve what we've already built. We are a group of like-minded difference makers. Curiosity drives our development. We have tenacity and a risk-taking mentality at every level of our organization to keep challenging normalcy. We believe it's our responsibility to create an environment in which every person can bring their full, authentic selves to work. We push each other to be our best and make every stakeholder proud. Read more about us by visiting our careers page, learn more about our recent news, and follow along on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Role Introduction

We are hiring a Plant Director to lead and oversee our new production facility in Mason, Ohio, with a focus on safety, quality, and performance. This role involves establishing a culture of safety and adherence to regulations, promoting quality standards and continuous improvement, and implementing effective training programs in a rapidly changing and dynamic production environment. You will provide leadership to diverse teams, manage warehouse, production, supply chain, quality assurance and facility operations, and mentor team members for their professional growth.

This is an exempt, supervisory position based at our Mason, OH facility location and will report directly to the VP of Operations.

What you'll do

Foster a culture of Safety, Quality, and Performance

• Establish and nurture a culture of safety, where employees prioritize and adhere to all relevant health and safety regulations
• Promote a strong commitment to quality standards and continuous improvement, driving performance excellence across manufacturing operations
• Implement effective training programs and initiatives to enhance employee skills and knowledge in safety, quality, and performance
• Enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and adherence to quality and safety protocols

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide strong leadership and guidance to a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment
• Directly oversee the warehouse, production, supply chain, quality assurance and facility teams, ensuring effective coordination and alignment
• Foster strong relationships and effective communication channels with cross-functional stakeholders (HR, QFSR, CI, Menu, Distro, ETC) to ensure alignment to consistent, and successful products, projects and workplace experience
• Manage to clear goals and established standards, performance metrics, and accountability measures for the team
• Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching and support for their professional growth

P&L Accountability

• Take ownership of financial performance by effectively managing the manufacturing budget, optimizing costs, and driving profitability
• Demonstrate accountability for cost control, resource allocation, and financial analysis to support business decisions
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and process improvements to maximize operational efficiency and profitability

• Collaborate closely with the Warehouse, Production, Facility, Quality, Procurement, and Continuous Improvement teams to optimize processes, ensure quality standards, and drive operational efficiency
• Lead and participate in cross-functional initiatives to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence

Navigate Rapid Growth and Change

• Strategically navigate the challenges associated with rapid business growth, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and quality in manufacturing operations
• Lead the implementation of strategies and processes to accommodate increased production volumes and maintain high standards
• Anticipate future capacity needs and develop expansion plans to meet the demands of the growing business

What makes a great candidate

• 10+ progressive leadership experience in operations roles including previous plant management experience.
• Experience managing and leading supply chain and quality assurance functions
• Proven successful project management leadership skills
• Excellent documentation and communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills
• Strong financial acumen as it relates to manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.
• Demonstrated comfort level and ability to direct teams and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions including onboarding/off-boarding and partnering with People Operations (HR) on all aspects of employee relations
• Ability to develop and integrate metrics into the projects and operations that clearly demonstrate the value of manufacturing to the business
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels
• Ability to work and excel within a fast-paced, dynamic, and constantly changing work environment
• Must have a strong sense of urgency, be time driven, and be highly motivated
• Team player that works well with others across all areas of the company
• Ability to present recommendations, ideas and build consensus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and/or G-Suite, including advanced Excel
• Previous startup experience preferred

Physical Demands

• Frequent periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Prolonged periods working on feet, using tools, and performing repetitive actions entail frequent bending and stooping.
• The ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Compensation

United States-based roles only: The Annual salary for this role is between $128,000 and $192,000 plus immediate participation in our benefits program (health, dental, 401k and many others), utilization of our generous paid time off and, where applicable, participation in our incentive programs. All employees are owners of Voyage Foods and receive an equity grant as part of their total package. At Voyage Foods, we approach each individual's compensation with a promise of fair market value and internal equity commensurate with experience and specific skill set.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• STD/LTD, Life and AD&D policies
• FSA, HRA, and Mental Health Program Benefits
• 401K Program
• Commuter Benefits
• 20 vacation Days + 9 Company Holidays
• Paid Family Leave Program
• Ongoing Team Events, including Weekly Friday Lunches

Voyage Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Voyage Foods is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Alex Chancellor, SHRM-SCP at alex@voyagefoods.com or (831) 277-0509.

Voyage Foods will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check.