Director, Plant Operations

Position Summary The Director, Plant Operations is responsible for leading all aspects of plant operations (Paragon Plant & Chip Plant) to ensure the efficient production of high-quality washed and packaged potato products that consistently meet customer expectations. This role is accountable for driving operational excellence while controlling costs and maximizing departmental profitability. The Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of production, quality, maintenance, shipping, and inventory functions, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Working closely with potato storage leaders, this position coordinates product flow and movement to optimize inventory, meet production schedules, and support customer demand. Qualifications High school diploma required; Associate's degree in Business, Operations Management, Agriculture or a related field preferred 5+ years of food manufacturing production experience Experience managing large teams and developing a positive workplace culture Accountabilities Ensure customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality products on time through effective production planning and daily communication with internal and external sales teams to maximize plant capacity and meet customer delivery commitments. Lead and continuously improve the plant's leadership meeting structure to promote accountability, align priorities, drive operational performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Optimize operational efficiency and long-term profitability by balancing equipment utilization, labor resources, and planned maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize production performance. Support the professional growth and development of new and existing team members through coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and individualized development plans. Lead initiatives to increase revenue and production volume in support of Wysocki Family Farms return on family capital. Participate in leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions, contributing to organizational decision-making, business performance, and long-term growth initiatives. Lead capital investment planning and reporting by identifying operational needs, developing business cases, and tracking project performance to ensure alignment with strategic and financial objectives. Demonstrates Wysocki Family Farms Core Values through everyday actions, communication, and decision-making to foster a respectful, collaborative, and high-performing workplace. Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental and company goals, adapting to business needs with flexibility and teamwork. Competencies and Success Factors Operational Excellence & Plant Performance: Drives day-to-day plant effectiveness, production efficiency, and overall operational execution across both facilities. Understands production planning and execution, ensuring optimal equipment utilization and minimizing downtime through effective maintenance coordination. Maintains high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance while consistently meeting output and performance targets. Financial & Business Acumen: Focuses on profitability, cost control, and long-term value creation for the organization. Manages and reduces operating costs while improving margins, as well as leading initiatives that support revenue and production volume growth. Demonstrates capital investment planning and return-on-investment decisions, while also supporting broader organizational goals related to return on family capital. Leadership & Talent Development: Builds a strong organizational culture and develops high-performing teams. Leads large, multi-functional teams while actively coaching, mentoring, and supporting individual development and succession planning. Establishes accountability through effective leadership structures and driving employee engagement, cultural alignment, and adherence to Core Values throughout the organization. Strategic Alignment & Cross-Functional Integration: Ensures that plant operations are fully aligned with broader business objectives and external partners. Coordinates closely with sales, storage, and customer demand to ensure seamless product flow and inventory management. Actively participates in strategic planning and leadership discussions, as well as translating organizational strategy into effective operational execution across both plants. Physical Activities/Demands: This position involves a moderate level of walking while tending to various areas in the production line. Ability to react quickly to product jams and machine malfunctions is necessary. This position requires the ability to: ascend/descend various types of ladders and stairs; move oneself into different positions in various environments (sometimes tight); bend, stoop, squat and kneel; reach for product; walk moderate distances on concrete floors; lift up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds; communicate with others via voice, listening and verbal response; read and write to receive instruction, document work and heed safety warnings; repeat motions with the wrists, hands and fingers; operate machinery and digital controls; visually inspect work in near/distant scenarios including need for peripheral vision and depth perception. Environmental Conditions : Physical activities are performed in temperature controlled indoor environments which could include noisy environments; slippery and wet floor conditions, exposure to regulated chemicals; dusty or poorly ventilated environments. Wysocki Family Farms is an EEO Employer