Assistant Plant Manager - Food & Beverage

Job Title: Assistant Plant Manager – Food & Beverage

Location: Rockford, Illinois

Compensation: 78,000 - 86,000

Department: Plant Operations

Reports To: Plant Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time Company Overview We are a premier food and beverage manufacturing facility dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality products to our customers. Our fast-paced plant relies on teamwork, advanced processing technology, and strict safety standards. We seek a hands-on, driven Assistant Plant Manager to help lead our production teams and partner with the Plant Manager on daily operations and long-term strategy. Position Summary The Assistant Plant Manager oversees daily manufacturing workflows across production, packaging, sanitation, and warehouse departments. You will serve as a key bridge between floor workers and senior leadership, monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and champion compliance with food safety regulations. This role also serves as a succession path to the Plant Manager position.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations Oversight

• Coordinate daily production schedules, line start-ups, and shutdowns to ensure safe and efficient transitions.
• Monitor plant throughput, downtime, yield, and labor efficiency to hit operational targets.
• Manage inventory control, raw materials, and finished goods shipping workflows.
• Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and implement practical, immediate solutions on the plant floor.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Enforce strict compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines.
• Partner with the Quality Assurance (QA) team to review sanitation logs, audit safety procedures, and resolve non-conformances quickly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, audit-ready facility at all times.

Personnel & Team Leadership

• Supervise shift supervisors, production operators, and sanitation teams.
• Assist with recruitment, training, performance management, and employee coaching.
• Foster a positive culture centered on accountability, safety, and open communication.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to reduce waste and optimize efficiency.
• Analyze operational data and root-cause deviations using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., RCA, CAPA).

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field (Associate’s degree with extensive equivalent experience will be considered).
• 3 to 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership or supervisory experience, specifically within the food, beverage, or perishable goods sector.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of food safety programs (HACCP, SQF, or ISO).
• Familiarity with high-speed automated packaging or processing lines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to coordinate across departments (HR, Maintenance, QA, and Executive Leadership).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.