We are seeking a Plant Manager to provide full operational leadership for a large-scale food production and distribution facility serving airline customers, with approximately 400 employees. This role is responsible for overall site performance, including Operations, Finance, Quality, Health & Safety, and Customer Relations.  The Plant Manager ensures the safe, compliant, and efficient production and delivery of prepared meals and related products to airline partners, while driving productivity, cost control, service reliability, and product quality. This position leads cross-functional teams, aligns daily operations with business objectives, and ensures strict adherence to food safety and regulatory standards in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment. The role also maintains strong customer relationships, ensuring service levels and contractual requirements are consistently met.  The position is accountable for financial performance, operational KPIs, workforce leadership, and continuous improvement initiatives across the facility, ensuring smooth coordination from production through delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assume all the tasks related to the management of the inflight unit (monitoring of operations, financial management, customer relations, team animation) and more particularly
• Guarantee the level of quality of the services Newrest provides to its customers and ensure the respect of Newrest's commitments to its customers
• Optimize Financial goals
• Implement the group's strategy to achieve turnover growth in line with development of set objectives
• Steer the continuous improvement process of the unit
• Identify activities with no added value that must be eliminated, carry out audits on work methods and procedure, detect problems, outline the most problematic, and encourage the implementation of corrective actions
• Ensure the quality of relationships with all authorities, service providers, internal and external contacts of the unit
• Ensure that production, organization, verification of figures and forecasts, run smoothly
• Be responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of the unit and ensure all repairs are effectively and efficiently carried out
• Optimize human resources management and maintain productivity ratios in line with group standards
• Maintain a good social climate and ensure to respect the agreements as well as the regulations in force
• Ensure the good image of the company (outfit, condition of trucks, buildings, etc.)
• Ensure the application of the group procedures and standards (sales, operations, finance, purchase, QHSE

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors in Operations Management, Business Management, or related field
• 10+ years’ experience in inflight catering or airport hub environment, manufacturing, logistics, or food industry indirectly managing 500+ exempt level employees

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong leadership experience with experience in start-up or turnaround environments
• Strong communication skills with ability to communicate with non-exempt to upper management levels
• Ability to effectively handle conflict and de-escalate emotional charged situations
• Good understanding of OSHA, HR, and other employment laws
• Good knowledge of investigation procedures and root cause analysis
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and operational processes
• Strong knowledge of HACCP & food safety standards
• Strategic thinker with creative and excellent problem solving and decision-making skills
• Resilient self-starter, who can act independently and learn quickly within a rapidly evolving environment
• Aptitude in showing self-initiative and follow-through
• Detail-oriented and ability to see big picture
• Strong ability with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Excellent organizational and motivational skills
• Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability
• Strong analytical skills for interpretation of data to effectively manage risk
• Ability to effectively collaborate with site operations, functional leaders and external clients and vendors

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premium 100% paid for by company
• Free meals every day
• 401k matching - 100% up to first 5%
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Short-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental insurance

https://www.newrest.eu/