Chicken of the Sea
Overview
Location: Lyons, GA Department: Production Reports To: Managing Director, Ambient Operations - AMEA Chicken of the Sea is an iconic American brand with broad distribution across major retail channels and growth opportunities in foodservice and outside the U.S. The company is part of Thai Union, a global producer of ambient seafood, and operates with a shared commitment to sustainability and a values-based culture. About the 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 consumers and customers. This role is accountable for achieving the plant operations budget (including CapEx and COGS) while driving improvements in safety, quality, environmental performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The GM collaborates with Regional (COSI / Pittsburgh) and Global (TU / Bangkok) teams and leads strategic initiatives that improve processes, develop people, and enhance performance. The GM oversees cross-functional leaders related to Production, Planning/Materials, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance, IT/Digital, SHE, and Quality, and ensures collaboration with Corporate functions and external partners. The GM serves as the operational voice of the plant and communicates results, risks, and strategic priorities to the broader Ambient BU. The role emphasizes independent, values-based leadership aligned with the company’s Big 6 Values (Passionate, Humble, Respectful, Responsible, Collaborative, Innovative) to drive sustainability and world-class manufacturing.
Key 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 continuous improvement and world-class operational performance. Set hiring, performance, and development expectations for all plant departments. Provide training and corrective action plans to improve competency. 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 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. Coordinate with internal functions and external partners, suppliers, and regulatory agencies as needed. 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
Regularly sit, communicate (talking, hearing, writing, typing) and operate standard office equipment. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting up to 35 lbs. Work typically in a well-lit, indoor office setting with a moderate level of noise. Compliance with all company policies and safe work practices is required. Values
Collaborative
– works well with diverse workforce; communicates professionally with associates and leaders Responsible
– punctual, proactively communicates status of issues and projects Humble
– eager to learn, asks for assistance when needed Passionate
– committed to excellence and supporting the team Respectful
– demonstrates care, honesty, integrity, and fairness Innovative
– seeks efficiency and continuous improvement A career at Thai Union offers opportunities for professional growth in a global, fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization committed to its people, community, and environment. Thai Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
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Location: Lyons, GA Department: Production Reports To: Managing Director, Ambient Operations - AMEA Chicken of the Sea is an iconic American brand with broad distribution across major retail channels and growth opportunities in foodservice and outside the U.S. The company is part of Thai Union, a global producer of ambient seafood, and operates with a shared commitment to sustainability and a values-based culture. About the 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 consumers and customers. This role is accountable for achieving the plant operations budget (including CapEx and COGS) while driving improvements in safety, quality, environmental performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The GM collaborates with Regional (COSI / Pittsburgh) and Global (TU / Bangkok) teams and leads strategic initiatives that improve processes, develop people, and enhance performance. The GM oversees cross-functional leaders related to Production, Planning/Materials, Engineering, Maintenance, Finance, IT/Digital, SHE, and Quality, and ensures collaboration with Corporate functions and external partners. The GM serves as the operational voice of the plant and communicates results, risks, and strategic priorities to the broader Ambient BU. The role emphasizes independent, values-based leadership aligned with the company’s Big 6 Values (Passionate, Humble, Respectful, Responsible, Collaborative, Innovative) to drive sustainability and world-class manufacturing.
Key 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 continuous improvement and world-class operational performance. Set hiring, performance, and development expectations for all plant departments. Provide training and corrective action plans to improve competency. 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 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. Coordinate with internal functions and external partners, suppliers, and regulatory agencies as needed. 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
Regularly sit, communicate (talking, hearing, writing, typing) and operate standard office equipment. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting up to 35 lbs. Work typically in a well-lit, indoor office setting with a moderate level of noise. Compliance with all company policies and safe work practices is required. Values
Collaborative
– works well with diverse workforce; communicates professionally with associates and leaders Responsible
– punctual, proactively communicates status of issues and projects Humble
– eager to learn, asks for assistance when needed Passionate
– committed to excellence and supporting the team Respectful
– demonstrates care, honesty, integrity, and fairness Innovative
– seeks efficiency and continuous improvement A career at Thai Union offers opportunities for professional growth in a global, fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization committed to its people, community, and environment. Thai Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
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