Tom Cat Bakery, established in 1987, is the premier supplier of freshly baked artisan bread products to more than 850 customers located primarily in the New York metro area. Tom Cat is nationally recognized as one of the founders of the artisan baking movement and also sells frozen artisan bread throughout the U.S. The company’s customer list includes white table cloth restaurants in Manhattan, upscale hotels, specialty food retailers, caterers and other food service outlets.

Tom Cat is a well-managed, innovative and top quality company dedicated to total customer satisfaction.  We have a heart for our employees, and enjoy excellent labor relations.  Our corporate culture focuses on quality of product and service, and the well-being of everyone who works here.  We are located in Long Island City, which is 5 minutes from Manhattan.

Tom Cat currently bakes more than 30 different dough’s including sourdough, white, rye, and seven grain, into 300 different products and shapes. In addition to fresh and frozen artisan bread, Tom Cat has also built a strong reputation in sweet-goods, currently baking 122 different kinds of fresh sweets such as muffins, cookies, loaf cake, scones, and bars.

The manufacturing department is essential to the future growth of Tom Cat. Most of the company’s products must be consumed the same day they are made, just hours after being baked, and the company has built a highly successful reputation focused on quality and customer satisfaction.  The manufacturing department, including bread and sweets bakery production, packing and facilities, operates in three shifts and 365 days a year with 200 employees, and 5 managers, in Long Island City, Queens, NY.

Plant Manager
 

We are seeking an experienced, results-oriented, quality and continuous improvement focused Plant Manager who will manage the day to day operations of the manufacturing department, leading the staff to meet and exceed the company’s performance metrics, and quality and customer satisfaction standards within a unionized environment.

This well-rounded individual will have 5 years experience in a senior manufacturing role with an additional 5-7 years experience in operations management, and will have a career of proven success in managing teams and in working effectively across departments such as customer service, distribution, quality assurance, research and development, finance, and sales. Experience in the food industry is a plus. The Plant Manager will be responsible for implementing lean manufacturing strategies to improve the productivity, quality and efficiency of the manufacturing processes and create an ongoing staff development program increasing capabilities and productivity of all staff.

The Plant Manager reports directly to the Vice President of Research and Development and Manufacturing Operations and will be based in Long Island City, NY. He/she will have 5-7 direct reports and be responsible for the successful daily production and packing of more than 400 baked products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the manufacturing and packing operations of all baking products, leading 200 staff and 5 managers to deliver and exceed performance metrics in the areas of quality, customer service, costs, inventory management, and new product introductions.
• Lead best practices and quality initiatives in the manufacturing and packing departments to increase value of existing assets, while improving quality and customer service.
• Act as the custodian and advocate of the Tom Cat brand of baking products and assume responsibility for their quality.
• Lead and develop a high performing team to drive Tom Cat’s customer focus, quality focus and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that proper procedures and practice, documentation, training, and audits are in place to ensure adherence to procedures, leading to consistent, high quality of the products and food safety, and the well-being of the employees.
• Create an environment of continuous improvement for the daily operations of the manufacturing department.
• Lead the evaluation of the effectiveness of processes. Ensure that inefficiencies are addressed and daily issues resolved.
• Manage 5-7 direct reports and delegate key responsibilities to them in the supervision of the employees. Ensure they have the capabilities to do so effectively.
• Lead the performance management process for all direct reports and their staff.
• Manage, analyze, create reports, and develop recommendations of the key metrics of the department.
• In partnership with lead people of customer service, distribution, quality assurance, finance, research and development and sales resolve cross-departmental issues.
• Develop the annual departmental budget.
• Lead the staffing, development and recruiting of all staff within the bakery production, packing and facilities departments.
• Manage the facilities and engineering function.
• Manage the training and development plans for all staff to strengthen their capabilities and improve quality and productivity.
• Coordinate HACCP team activities, including audits, training, investigations and reports.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Research and Development and Manufacturing Operations, analyze the effectiveness of the department and create initiatives to increase efficiency and productivity of staff, technology and the overall operations based on the analysis of data.
• Ensure corrective measures are taken if an employee does not perform at a required level. Manage the resolution of work related problems within the department and take disciplinary action as required within the context of the union agreement.
• Actively participate in senior management meetings focused on the success of Tom Cat Bakery, not limited to the responsibilities of the Plant Manager.
• Lead in highly effective employee communications in a multi-language and multi-cultural environment, creating engaged, motivated employees whose commitment to Tom Cat Bakery and its products enhance the success of the organization.

Requirements:

• 5+ years experience in senior manufacturing roles with an additional 5-7 years experience in operations management. Knowledge of baking process technology is a plus.
• BA/BS degree is preferred. MA/MBA is a plus.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English is a plus.
• Budget/P&L experience.
• Excellent leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills with a hands-on management style.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• Excellent judgment, initiative and follow-through.
• Customer service focused, highly organized, results-driven person who enjoys working with people.
• Highly effective across functions in a dynamic, fast-paced, customer focused environment.
• 10+ years of supervisory experience in manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Excellent influencing, cooperation, and negotiation skills and the ability to use them appropriately.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Outstanding track record of success in developing direct reports to increase their productivity and capabilities.
• Ability to process high volumes of information and manage multiple priorities in a timely manner with precision and attention to detail.
• Excellent in follow-through and results orientation; able to understand business requirements of a customer-focused organization and provide solutions to daily issues.
• Strong business acumen.
• Successful implementation of lean Six Sigma manufacturing initiatives.
• Experience in working with a diverse, multi-cultural staff.
• Proven success in improving results through management and development of staff.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends.

There are many great benefits to a career at Tom Cat Bakery as its employees are offered a competitive package including Medical, Dental, Transit-Chek, FSA plan, a 401K Profit Sharing Plan and paid time off.  In addition to a competitive salary and excellent benefits, you will enjoy a team-oriented, community oriented and customer focused atmosphere while you work. Please visit our website for more information: www.tomcatbakery.com

Join an organization where you can get results every day! Background checks and computer literacy testing are part of the recruiting process at Tom Cat Bakery.  Please, forward resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Tom Cat Bakery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.