Production / Plant Manager Candidate

SEEKING A ROLE AS: Production Manager, Plant Manger

PROFILE:
A proven Production and Operations leader with deep experience across meat, shelf-stable food, and CPG manufacturing environments. Known for driving process and people improvements while delivering measurable results in safety, quality, cost control, and operational performance. This candidate brings a steady, hands-on leadership style with strong expertise in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, labor planning, and high-speed automated production. Companies will value this candidate for their ability to stabilize operations, improve efficiency, and build engaged, accountable teams in regulated food manufacturing settings.

IN LOCATION: Based in the Greater Madison, WI area. Willing to work onsite and travel as needed. Not open to relocation.

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
– 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in meat, shelf-stable food, and CPG manufacturing.
– Led union and non-union workforces across production, packaging, thermal processing, warehousing, and shipping/receiving operations.
– Improved manufacturing budget adherence from 135% to 114% through Lean Management, waste reduction, and process optimization.
– Implemented Kaizen, Daily Management, Gemba walks, and PSP initiatives to drive continuous improvement and operational discipline.
– Managed complex production scheduling supporting 3–6 million pounds of weekly output in regulated food environments.
– Played a key role in food safety and quality compliance, working within USDA, FDA, SQF, Kosher, and GMP frameworks.
– Led equipment layout optimization and capital recommendations that improved efficiency, ergonomics, and product quality.
– Recognized contributor to award-winning continuous improvement projects and plant-wide SOP development initiatives.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:
– Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Management)
– Extensive training in Lean Manufacturing, HACCP, TPM, GMPs, OSHA, Thermal Processing, Kaizen, 5S, SPC, FDA, USDA, SQF, ISO 9001 & 14001

COMPENSATION: Base salary expectation in the $110,000–$140,000 range depending on scope of responsibility and incentive structure.

If you are interested in speaking with this Production & Operations Leader who can strengthen manufacturing performance, ensure compliance, and deliver continuous improvement across meat and shelf-stable CPG operations, then…
Contact:
Stephanie Savage
stephanies@kinsa.com
Worksite Preference:Open
Employment Preference:Permanent