Plant General Manager

Lyons,

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Chicken of the Sea is an iconic American brand that was founded in 1930. Today, Chicken of the Sea enjoys broad distribution across all major retail channels, with growth opportunities in foodservice and outside the U.S. Besides its eponymous brand, Chicken of the Sea also sells Genova and King Oscar premium seafood products.

Chicken of the Sea International (COSI) has been wholly owned since 2000 by Thai Union (TU), the largest global producer of ambient seafood. Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is a sister U.S. company that focuses on frozen and chilled seafood sales. Other iconic seafood brands in the TU Global portfolio include John West, Mareblu, and King Oscar. Under the leadership of CEO Thiraphong Chansiri, Thai Union has more than tripled its revenue to over $4 billion annually and has an aggressive growth agenda.

Chicken of the Sea International operates under the common corporate vision, mission and values of Thai Union, an industry leader in sustainable fishing practices and manufacturing processes that capture the freshness, nutritional value, and sensorial experience of seafood. The global organization lives by the 6 deeply held values: Passionate, Humble, Respectful, Responsible, Collaborative, and Innovative.

COSI is an organization that is very proud of its heritage. First established as VanCamp seafood company more than 100 years ago (1914), the company celebrates its story as one of the oldest food companies in the country that is still in operation. The company is currently undergoing a significant business transformation aimed at accelerating business growth.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

The Plant General Manager (GM) holds full responsibility for all plant operations and support functions, ensuring the delivery of safe, healthy, cost-competitive, and high-quality seafood to our consumers and customers. This role is accountable for achieving the plant operations budget, including CapEx and COGS, while driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, environmental performance, and continuous improvement (CI) initiatives. The GM also plays a critical role in maintaining transparency and alignment with Regional (COSI / Pittsburgh) and Global (TU / Bangkok) teams, and in leading strategic initiatives that improve processes, develop people, and enhance performance.

With direct oversight of cross-functional leaders, including Production, Planning/Materials, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance, IT/Digital, SHE, and Quality, the GM ensures effective collaboration across internal functions such as Corporate Supply Planning & Procurement, Finance, Sales, Marketing, QA, Legal, HR, and Communications, as well as with external partners, suppliers, and regulatory agencies. This role serves as the operational voice of the plant and communicates results, risks, and strategic priorities to the broader Ambient BU.

The GM operates with a high degree of independence and discretion, and serves as a values-based leader, applying the company’s Big 6 Values (Passionate, Humble, Respectful, Responsible, Collaborative, and Innovative) to drive long-term sustainability, a strong culture, and a world-class manufacturing environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership:

• Direct end-to-end manufacturing operations, including production, materials, labor, quality, and capital needs.
• Evaluate and enhance plant efficiency and day-to-day operations.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement improvements in safety, quality, and cost.
• Ensure plant performance is transparent and aligned with Regional and Global leadership expectations.

Strategic Planning & Execution:

• Develop and execute plans to meet critical business objectives.
• Oversee budgeting, expenditure approval, financial variance analysis, and gap-closing action plans.
• Lead the plant’s contribution to continuous improvement and world-class operational performance.

People Leadership:

• Set hiring, performance, and development expectations for all plant departments.
• Provide training and corrective action plans to improve competency (knowledge, skills, and attitudes).
• Promote employee engagement, diversity, and development across all levels.
• Maintain positive labor relations and support leadership growth aligned with company values.

Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, BRC).
• Review audit results and implement corrective actions.
• Foster a culture of accountability and safety excellence.

Stakeholder Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with plant personnel, regulatory bodies, local suppliers, vendors, and community leaders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Sales, Marketing, Legal, HR, and Global/Regional Operations teams.
• Ensures effective collaboration across internal functions such as Corporate Supply Planning & Procurement, Finance, Sales, Marketing, QA, Legal, HR, and Communications, as well as with external partners, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 7–10 years of experience in food production
• Over 5 years of senior plant management and leadership experience
• Technical degree in Engineering, Business, or Food Science
• Strong understanding of plant management and continuous improvement methodologies
• Proven experience in leadership, goal setting, action planning, performance appraisal, and driving results
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically

Preferred:

• Experience with BRC or SQF quality systems
• Background in TPM, Six Sigma / Lean Manufacturing, and Reliability-Centered Maintenance
• Experience with canning, seaming, retort/sterilization, packaging, or ready-to-eat food production

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, communicate (typically by talking, listening, writing, and typing), move around the office to various locations for meetings and in-person gatherings, and reach or carry materials with arms and hands. 

Moreover, the employee is required to operate telephones, computers and other standard office equipment. Employee may, on occasion, be required to lift up to 35 lbs. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

Thai Union / Chicken of the Sea International is an equal opportunity employer.  We prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally recognized basis, including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniformed service member status, marital status, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline and termination.