Role Overview for VP, Plant Management, West Coast with a Global Food Producer – Sacramento, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a world-renowned, multi-billion dollar global food producer in their search for a transformative Vice President of Plant Management for the West Coast region. This is a paramount executive leadership position, based in the strategic hub of Sacramento, CA, responsible for overseeing a network of multiple high-volume manufacturing facilities. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record of operational excellence, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety within the food and beverage industry.
This role is not merely about maintaining the status quo; it is about driving the future of manufacturing for one of the company’s most critical regions. You will be the senior-most operations leader on the West Coast, entrusted with full P&L responsibility and the strategic direction of all plant operations. Your leadership will directly impact product quality, production efficiency, financial performance, and team member engagement across your portfolio of plants. You will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with cross-functional executives in Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources to ensure regional objectives align with global corporate strategy. We are seeking an individual who can balance high-level strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, capable of inspiring teams, optimizing complex processes, and delivering consistent, world-class results in a dynamic and competitive market.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Plant Management, West Coast with a Global Food Producer – Sacramento, CA
The VP of Plant Management will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing strategic leadership, operational execution, financial stewardship, and team development. Success in this role requires a holistic understanding of the entire manufacturing ecosystem.
Strategic Leadership & Multi-Site Operations Management
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year manufacturing strategy for the West Coast region that aligns with corporate growth, innovation, and profitability goals.
- Provide direct oversight and leadership to Plant Directors/Managers across multiple facilities, ensuring consistency in operational standards, safety protocols, and quality assurance.
- Champion a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement, setting clear performance expectations and empowering plant leadership teams to achieve their targets.
- Drive capital investment planning and execution, identifying opportunities for technology upgrades, capacity expansion, and automation to enhance efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.
- Serve as the primary liaison between West Coast operations and corporate headquarters, effectively communicating regional performance, challenges, and strategic initiatives.
Financial Performance & P&L Management
- Assume full P&L responsibility for the entire West Coast manufacturing network, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Analyze key financial and operational data to identify trends, drive cost-saving initiatives, and optimize resource allocation across all plants.
- Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring financial discipline and the achievement of margin and profitability targets.
- Implement robust cost-control measures related to labor, materials, and overhead without compromising safety, quality, or employee morale.
Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance
- Uphold and champion the highest standards of product quality, food safety, and sanitation across all manufacturing sites.
- Ensure all facilities are in strict compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including FDA, USDA, and OSHA standards.
- The VP will be the ultimate authority on ensuring all West Coast facilities adhere to the highest standards of food safety, including full compliance with regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of quality management systems such as HACCP, SQF, and GMPs.
- Lead the region through internal and external audits, ensuring successful outcomes and timely remediation of any findings.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
- Drive a robust continuous improvement culture utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and other methodologies to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product flow.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for all plants, including OEE, yield, waste, safety, and on-time delivery.
- Sponsor and lead high-impact projects aimed at process optimization, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.
- Foster an environment where employees at all levels are encouraged to identify and implement improvements.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Plant Directors and senior operational leaders.
- Implement effective talent management strategies, including succession planning, leadership development programs, and performance management for the operations function.
- Champion a positive, inclusive, and engaging work environment that attracts, retains, and develops top-tier talent.
- Foster strong employee relations and work collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure fair and consistent application of company policies.
Requirements for the VP, Plant Management, West Coast with a Global Food Producer – Sacramento, CA
We are seeking a seasoned and accomplished executive with a deep understanding of food manufacturing operations and a passion for leadership.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical), Food Science, Operations Management, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience within the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
- At least 7 years of experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Operations, Plant Director, General Manager) with direct P&L responsibility.
- Demonstrated, successful experience managing multiple manufacturing facilities simultaneously is a strict requirement.
- Proven track record of driving significant improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and cost through the implementation of continuous improvement methodologies.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional financial acumen with deep experience in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management for a multi-site operation.
- Expert-level knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and other continuous improvement tools. Certification (e.g., Black Belt) is a plus.
- In-depth understanding of modern food safety protocols, quality systems (SQF, BRC, HACCP), and regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA).
- Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate teams at all levels of the organization.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable interacting with C-level executives, plant floor employees, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to travel regularly (approximately 30-40%) to various plant locations across the West Coast.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain the very best executive talent. This includes:
- A competitive base salary and significant executive-level annual bonus potential.
- Long-term incentive plan (Equity/Stock Options).
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for you and your family.
- Generous 401(k) plan with a strong company match.
- Substantial Paid Time Off (PTO) package, including vacation, sick days, and paid holidays.
- Executive-level relocation assistance package for qualified candidates.
- Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
- Opportunities for continued professional development and executive education.
- The chance to make a significant impact on a leading global organization.
How to Apply
This is a retained search exclusively managed by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary operations leader with the experience and drive to lead a critical manufacturing region for a global food industry leader, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and accomplishments.
JRG Partners is a leader in executive recruitment for the food and beverage sector. Learn more about our specialized focus by exploring our expertise in Manufacturing & Operations recruitment. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
