Plant Manager

Job Title: Plant Manager (M/F/D)

City, Country: Saint Clar, France

Ready to take the next step in your manufacturing leadership career? As Plant Manager, you will lead our cheese coating operation at Saint Clar, a manufacturing site of approximately 10 employees. Reporting directly to the VP Operations, you will combine hands-on operational leadership, people management and continuous improvement. This highly autonomous role offers the opportunity to maintain strong site performance while supporting future growth.

As Plant Manager, you will be responsible for developing, implementing and delivering the plant manufacturing plan in line with relevant dsm-firmenich and functional guidelines and requirements, and for organizing and managing the site to achieve agreed operational objectives.

Your key responsibilities

• Define, implement and monitor the plant manufacturing plan in line with BG/BU objectives, ensuring production and delivery meet agreed specifications. Take corrective actions as needed, with a focus on operational efficiency, production flexibility and increasing site utilization in collaboration with commercial stakeholders.
• Manage day-to-day plant operations, maintenance and production planning, coordinating predominantly manual mixing and packaging processes while ensuring safe, reliable and efficient production in line with company requirements.
• Translate the manufacturing strategy into practical maintenance and investment plans, including budgets appropriate to the site’s needs, and lead local projects and continuous improvement initiatives to support operational performance and future volume growth.
• Identify and analyse operational and QSHE risks, implement appropriate preventive and corrective measures, and coordinate the site response to incidents or emergencies, maintaining the site’s strong safety and quality standards.
• Organise, plan and supervise the site team of approximately 10 employees, maintaining a visible, hands-on presence. Motivate and engage employees, ensure required training and develop critical skills, including supporting the local quality function.
• Chair the Works Council (CSE) and foster constructive employee relations, working collaboratively with the team and ensuring compliance with applicable French labour laws and regulations.

We offer

• A chance to impact millions of consumers every day – sustainability embedded in all we do.
• A science led company, cutting edge research and creativity everywhere – from biotech breakthroughs to sustainability game-changers, you’ll work on what’s next.
• Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership.
• A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
• A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.

You bring

• Solid experience in an industrial environment, ideally within the food industry, with a good understanding of day-to-day manufacturing operations and production processes.
• Experience leading and developing teams in a manufacturing environment, with the ability and potential to take full responsibility for a site. Experience as a Production Manager, Operations Manager or in a similar position is particularly relevant.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to engage people, make decisions, and drive performance through collaboration and accountability. A pragmatic, approachable style suited to a small, established team is essential.
• Solid awareness of safety, health, environmental and quality standards, with a commitment to fostering a safe and compliant workplace.
• Practical problem-solving, production planning and continuous improvement skills, with the ability to balance operational priorities and support higher site utilization.
• Fluency in French and English, with the ability to communicate effectively across local and international stakeholders.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future. 

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Our application process

Are you interested in this position? Apply online by sending us your English resume via our career’s portal. For more information, contact Ms. Anikó BÉRES, Talent Acquisition Business Partner (aniko.beres@dsm-firmenich.com).

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement 

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.