Plant Manager at CIRCLE SEAFOODS, QALICB INC. – METLAKATLA, Alaska

The Barge Plant Manager at Circle Seafoods is a mission-critical leadership role, responsible for the total oversight and strategic direction of all day-to-day and seasonal processing Barge Plant operations. This individual ensures operational continuity, maximum efficiency, impeccable safety standards, and adherence to the highest quality specifications from raw material intake to final product shipment. Serving as a key strategic partner, the Barge Plant Manager translates business objectives into production outcomes, maintains all regulatory compliance (local, state, federal food safety, and environmental), and fosters a high-performing culture. By championing teamwork and continuous innovation, the role ensures the Barge consistently meets and exceeds production targets, reinforcing Circle Seafoods' reputation for premium products. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker capable of balancing the fast-paced seasonal demands with long-term objectives for sustainable growth and capital improvement.

Key Responsibilities: Strategic Management and Execution

The Plant Manager's responsibilities encompass the full spectrum of Barge operations and personnel management:

Operational Management & Optimization: Provide holistic, end-to-end oversight of all Barge processes, including receiving, processing, freezing, maintenance, quality control (QC), cold storage, and shipping logistics. Drive daily accountability across all departments to ensure optimal throughput, minimal waste, and superior product yield.

Strategic Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, mentor, manage, and lead a diverse team of supervisors, maintenance technicians, quality assurance personnel, and seasonal production workers. Cultivate a culture defined by safety, accountability, performance, and mutual respect. Implement robust training and performance management systems to foster leadership development and ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Financial Stewardship & Budget Management: Develop, present, and rigorously manage the annual operating budget for the Barge. Monitor and control key performance indicators (KPIs) related to labor costs, utility consumption, maintenance expenses, and raw material utilization. Drive cost-effectiveness and optimize resource allocation without compromising quality or safety.

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Compliance: Serve as the final authority on product quality and safety. Implement, maintain, and continually refine robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Ensure strict adherence to all regulatory requirements, including FDA, state health departments, and company-specific mandates. Oversee the effective execution of HACCP, GMPs, and sanitation protocols.

Continuous Improvement (CI) & Process Engineering: Spearhead the development and implementation of Lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other CI strategies. Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation or process re-engineering to enhance overall Barge output, efficiency, and sustainability.

Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) Management: Champion a proactive, zero-incident safety culture. Develop, enforce, and audit rigorous health and safety policies and procedures (including OSHA compliance). Ensure all environmental permits and regulations are met, minimizing the Barges environmental footprint.

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the primary liaison between the processing Barge and corporate headquarters, collaborating closely with the VP of Operations, Sales, Finance, and Human Resources teams. Maintain strong professional relationships with key external stakeholders, including suppliers, regulatory agencies, local community leaders, and logistics partners, to align Barge operations with overarching business and community objectives.

Performance Reporting & Strategic Analysis: Prepare and present detailed, regular operational reports on Barge performance, including productivity metrics, quality audit results, budget variances, and safety records. Utilize data-driven insights to identify trends, forecast capacity needs, and recommend strategic capital improvements to upper management.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a Plant management or senior operational role, with a strong preference for direct experience within the seafood or highly regulated food processing industry.

Alaska Seafood Industry Expertise: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience working specifically within the Alaska seafood industry, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of seasonal fluctuations, remote logistics, regulatory environment, and the unique challenges of operating in the region.

Education: High School Diploma or GED required.

Technical Acumen: Demonstrated proficiency in Barge management principles, including inventory control, supply chain management, maintenance scheduling, and energy management.

Leadership & Communication Skills: Exceptional organizational, decision-making, and verbal/written communication skills. Proven ability to effectively lead and motivate a diverse, multi-cultural workforce in a high-pressure environment.

Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough familiarity with all relevant food processing industry regulations, stringent safety standards (e.g., OSHA), and best practices, specifically including USDA and FDA guidelines.

HACCP Certification: Current and documented HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification and proven experience in managing and auditing comprehensive food safety plans.

Software Proficiency: Strong proficiency in using operational software, ERP/MRP systems, and data analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for performance tracking and reporting.

Advanced Degree: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, or Chemical), Food Science, Supply Chain Management, or a closely related technical field.

Remote Operations Experience: Previous experience managing complex industrial operations in Alaska or similarly remote, logistically challenging environments.

Bilingualism: Proficiency in a second language common among the seasonal workforce (e.g., Spanish) is a plus.

Maritime/Vessel Management: Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, vessel stability, marine safety, and basic mechanical understanding of shipboard systems relevant to a floating processing plant (e.g., power generation, hydraulics, refrigeration). Experience collaborating effectively with a Vessel Master/Captain is highly desirable.

Location & Seasonal Commitment: This role requires a seasonal commitment to working in a remote Barge Plant processing location and a commitment to off-season planning and management:

The essential functions of this demanding role require a certain level of physical capability, often in a dynamic industrial environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Environmental Exposure: Regular and extensive exposure to varying weather conditions, industrial Barge noise, wet surfaces, and low temperatures, including regular exposure to freezer/cold storage environments.

Physical Stamina: The ability to be mobile for extended periods, including standing, walking (often on slippery or uneven surfaces), and climbing stairs frequently throughout a shift.

Lifting Requirements: Occasional physical strength is required to safely lift, move, and position objects, including boxes or equipment weighing between 50-100 lbs.

Manual Dexterity: The ability to use hands and arms to handle, control, or feel objects and tools.

Advanced Communication: Exemplary ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively, both verbally and in detailed written reports, across all organizational levels and with external partners.

Organizational Mastery: Exceptional ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple high-priority tasks and projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Industry Expertise: In-depth, thorough knowledge of the seafood industry's operational specifics, processing technologies, safety regulations, and quality standards.

Circle Seafoods, QALICB Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or other protected status.

If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to hr@circleseafoods.com