Company Overview

We are a leading seafood processor and wholesaler specializing in premium, sustainably sourced seafood products. Our state-of-the-art facility exceeds 100,000 sq ft and operates 6 days a week with a focus on efficiency, food safety, and innovation. We serve, foodservice, retail and grocers with an unparalleled commitment to quality and sustainability.

Position Overview

The Plant Manager will oversee all aspects of operations in a high-volume seafood processing and distribution facility. This role requires strategic leadership to ensure production targets, safety standards, and quality benchmarks are met while driving continuous improvement across a team ranging between 130 and 160+ employees.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Oversee daily operations of a 100,000+ sq ft facility operating 6 days/week consisting of a two-shift ATC operation.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, FDA, USDA, cGMPs, and other food safety regulations.
• Optimize workflows to meet production goals, minimize downtime, optimize Customer order fulfillment, exceed Customer expectations/product Quality, and reduce waste.
• Leverages use of ERP and other systems for inventory control, production planning/scheduling, and supply chain coordination.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of supervisors and over 100 hourly employees.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and teamwork.
• Conduct performance reviews and implement targeted training programs.

Continuous Process Improvement

• Utilize Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing methodologies to identify and eliminate waste. .
• Develop and track KPIs (e.g., yield, throughput, labor costs) to drive operational excellence.
• Lead root-cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions.

Production Planning & Control

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including QA, Food Safety,  Procurement, Sales, and Logistics  to align production with demand.
• Oversee raw material inventory management and finished goods distribution.
• Ensure equipment maintenance schedules support uninterrupted production.

Compliance & Safety

• Maintain HACCP plans and ensure all staff adhere to food safety protocols.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, cGMPs, and other environmental regulations.

Financial Oversight

• Manage annual operating budgets and labor costs.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising Quality or Safety.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • HACCP Certification (mandatory or secure certification post hire).
  • Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Food Science, Engineering, or related field.
  • 7+ years of plant management experience in food processing (seafood preferred).
  • Proven expertise with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.).
  • Strong knowledge of KPIs, production planning, and lean manufacturing.
• Preferred:
  • Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification.
  • Experience in seafood processing or cold-chain environments.
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish).
  • ERP/MRP implementation/modification/use experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in cold storage environments (34–40°F).
• Stand/walk for extended periods and lift up to 40 lbs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + performance bonuses.
• Health/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) match.
• Paid time off, professional development opportunities.

Santa Monica Seafood offers a collegial work environment with professional development opportunities to grow your career with a time-honored brand.