Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Site Director to lead and oversee the daily operations of our frozen food manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food processing and high speed packaging production, a proven ability to manage large teams, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. This role drives performance by implementing production systems, managing labor and equipment resources, and delivering operational excellence in alignment with safety, quality, service, and cost objectives. The Site Director is a key member of the plant leadership team and a critical partner in fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

This role is full-time onsite at our Atwater, CA facility and requires occasional travel to Dole HQ in Westlake Village, CA.

Production & Operations Management

• Direct, coordinate, and oversee all plant operations including production, sanitation, maintenance, warehouse and shipping to ensure daily goals and long-term objectives are met.
• Lead daily plant production operations, ensuring on-time delivery, cost targets, and quality standards are met or exceeded.
• Monitor production metrics (OEE, yield, throughput, downtime) and implement corrective actions to drive performance.
• Coordinate scheduling, resource planning, and materials availability with Planning and Supply Chain.
• Manage plant budget, monitor key KPIs, and control operational costs while driving productivity and profitability.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance with all regulatory (OSHA, EPA, FDA, etc.) and internal standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure adherence to product specifications and food safety or industrial compliance protocols.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for safety and quality issues.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of production managers and supervisors, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and high performance.
• Drive employee engagement through visibility on the floor, effective communication, and consistent recognition.
• Support workforce planning, staffing, and training needs in partnership with HR.
• Foster a high-performance culture with strong employee engagement and accountability.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement operational improvements using World Class Manufacturing or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead or support Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Promote a data-driven decision-making environment using production KPIs and reporting tools.

Strategic & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, HR, and other site leaders to align on operational priorities.
• Contribute to the development and execution of plant-wide strategies and capital projects.
• Participate in long-term capacity planning and investment decisions.
• Work closely with demand planning and supply chain teams to meet production targets, minimize downtime, and optimize labor and material usage.
• Other duties as assigned

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including 3+ years in a senior or multi-line management role.
• Frozen food, CPG, food & beverage, and chemical experience highly preferred
• Strong knowledge of production systems, labor management, and manufacturing processes in a regulated or high-throughput environment.
• In-depth knowledge of GMP, HACCP, USDA/FDA regulations, and plant safety standards.
• Proven experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other CI frameworks.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to analyze data, make sound decisions, and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, production planning, and manufacturing technologies (e.g., MES, OEE tracking).
• Experience in food & beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or chemical manufacturing preferred.
• Bilingual skills – English and Spanish preferred

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Cultivates respectful and inclusive environments that support employee growth across teams
• Drives strategic initiatives and maintains excellence in complex and dynamic settings
• Establishes transparent decision-making and accountability frameworks
• Encourages organizational teamwork effectively to achieve shared objectives

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.
• Must be able to work in a cold/freezer environment
• Occasional weekend or evening work based on production needs
• Physical ability to stand, walk, lift, and move around production floor

Travel Requirements:

• 5-10% travel expected

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

FOR JOBS BASED IN CALIFORNIA:

Hiring Pay Scale: $170,000 to $190,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.