Plant Manager

About the role

The Plant Manager at Irca Group in Union City, California, is responsible for the comprehensive oversight and strategic direction of the Union City facility, ensuring that all operational functions align with the global objectives of the organization. You will own the end-to-end management of the production floor, transforming raw materials into high-quality semi-finished ingredients that meet the exacting standards of the bakery, pastry, and gelato sectors. This role requires you to act as the primary leader on-site, driving efficiency, safety, and consistency across all manufacturing activities. You will manage the execution of group strategy by translating corporate goals into actionable plans specific to the Union City operation. Success in this position will be defined by your ability to stabilize production, optimize resource utilization, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, you will ensure the facility is resilient, adaptable, and capable of meeting current and future market demands.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the operational blueprint for the Union City facility to ensure the seamless processing of ingredients for bakery, pastry, and gelato applications.
• Orchestrate daily production schedules and intake routines to stabilize material flow and clarify order expectations before manufacturing begins.
• Architect and shape build processes, organizing workflows so that equipment and personnel operate in optimal harmony to maximize throughput.
• Institute regular review rituals to surface operational issues early, enabling timely corrections and facilitating the cross-functional sharing of critical knowledge.
• Champion shipping practices to move products out reliably, ensuring that commitments to customers and partners are met with precision and consistency.
• Forge strong partner connections with commercial and group leaders to align plans across different regions and markets, ensuring cohesive execution.
• Guard quality standards as a non-negotiable duty, implementing consistent checks, thorough documentation, and continuous improvement behaviors.
• Drive resource planning by balancing workload, maintenance, and staffing against forecasted demand to maintain operational equilibrium.
• Cultivate talent within the team by clarifying roles, developing skills, and reinforcing behaviors that support safety, professional growth, and operational excellence.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to implement the strategic acquisitions that have expanded IRCA's portfolio of chocolate, decorations, creams, and other specialty ingredients.
• Monitor the performance of the 22 manufacturing facilities globally, drawing insights to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Union City location.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and manufacturing standards, protecting the integrity of the semi-finished ingredient supply chain.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize the use of the facility's capacity.
• Serve as the key liaison between the Union City plant and the broader IRCA organization, ensuring alignment on corporate objectives and market strategies.

Requirements

• Must possess the ability to manage operations at the Union City, CA plant with a demonstrated focus on efficiency, safety, and quality.
• Require a minimum of three years of experience in a food manufacturing leadership role within a production environment.
• Demand a deep understanding of bakery, pastry, and gelato ingredient production methods and the nuances of semi-finished ingredient supply chains.
• Expect familiarity with the production of chocolate, decorations, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other related bakery components.
• Insist on a proven track record of adhering to strict standards for quality control, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
• Need experience in driving resource planning and workforce management to balance production, maintenance, and staffing demands.
• Require the capability to lead and develop cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Essential possession of strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex operational challenges effectively.

Nice to have

• Experience working with chocolate, decorations, creams, mixes, and related product categories is a definite advantage.