Full-Time
Plant Manager
Kevin's Natural Foods
51-200 employees
Refrigerated and frozen paleo/keto meals
Compensation Overview
$170k - $208k/yr
Stockton, CA, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Master's
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
|---|
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- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a similar field is required.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment is required.
- Experience managing operations within a food manufacturing facility is required.
- Experience leading teams within a United States Department of Agriculture and/or Food and Drug Administration regulated manufacturing environment is required.
- Demonstrated success partnering cross-functionally with Quality Assurance, Operations, Maintenance, Materials, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams is required.
- Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing programs such as Total Productive Maintenance, Integrated Work Systems, and World Class Manufacturing is required.
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification or formal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points training is required.
- Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety systems, regulatory compliance, and quality management programs is required.
- Proven ability to implement and sustain manufacturing process improvements, productivity gains, and cost-saving initiatives is required.
- Effective leadership, coaching, team building, communication, and presentation skills are required.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a continuous improvement mindset are required.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing environment is required.
- Employment eligibility must be confirmed through E-Verify.
- Own the factory three-year improvement plan as a member of the Operations Leadership Team, aligned to overall operations strategic priorities.
- Cascade the three-year site improvement plan into a one-year improvement plan for Imperial operations with corresponding detailed 90-day plans.
- Drive daily and weekly connection points within relevant operational meetings to identify gaps against standard performance for safety, quality, efficiency, service, and cost.
- Drive daily and weekly escalations and action plans to return operations to standard, including daily direction-setting for production, inbound and outbound operations, top priorities, and follow-through on agreed action plans.
- Implement and deploy standard planning processes for factory scheduling.
- Implement and deploy standard planning processes to ensure raw materials and packaging availability and on-time outbound shipments.
- Enhance and develop adherence to standards by leading and deploying the operations Manufacturing Excellence pillar team.
- Embed the behavior framework defined by the Operations Leadership Team into daily operations at Imperial.
- Build operations capability by providing resources for improvement activities across different pillars, including participation in Autonomous Maintenance activities linked to Manufacturing Excellence pillars.
- Serve as a member of the Food Safety Management Team to drive continuous improvement through relevant site-based Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points teams.
- Build change-management capability and drive change through engaged and empowered associates.
- Manage performance, talent processes, engagement, and absenteeism for the entire operations team, including recruiting and developing team leaders.
- Ensure performance management provides role clarity for individuals and teams, including development plans for functional and personal development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
- Ensure products consistently meet quality standards, customer requirements, and food safety expectations.
- Establish, implement, and enforce policies and procedures related to food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, Good Manufacturing Practices, and sanitation.
- Ensure accurate completion and review of quality assurance, production, inventory, and operational documentation.
- Partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, Research and Development, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to optimize operations and drive business results.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives through analysis of production performance, labor efficiency, yield, throughput, and waste-reduction opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Safe Quality Food, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and improve inventory accuracy, product traceability, and warehouse operations.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for existing and new products.
- Lead manufacturing cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and service standards.
- Coach and develop front-line leaders and team members to solve operational challenges and achieve performance goals.
- Monitor equipment reliability and partner with Maintenance to improve uptime and asset performance.
- Support capital projects, facility improvements, and operational growth initiatives.
- Experience with Individually Quick Frozen, blast freezer, and/or spiral freezer operations is preferred.
Kevin's Natural Foods makes refrigerated and frozen meals designed for people with dietary needs, including Paleo and Keto. Its lineup includes sous-vide meat entrées, heat-and-eat sides, cauliflower-based pastas, sauces, and seasonings, all gluten-free and free from refined sugars, soy, dairy, and artificial ingredients. The meals use sous-vide to ensure tender, well-cooked meat and quick preparation, with most options ready in minutes. Since 2023 it operates as part of Mars, Incorporated, expanding reach while remaining a standalone Mars Foods & Nutrition unit, with a goal to help health-conscious shoppers eat clean without sacrificing taste and convenience across 22,000+ stores.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Modesto, California
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- June 16, 2026 Scramble Starters launched nationwide at Target, Kroger, Harris Teeter.
- February 2025 Stir-Fry Kits added vegetables and fully cooked protein, deepening the premium convenience line.
- March 2026 Men’s Health awarded Parmesan Basil Chicken Frozen Bowl, strengthening consumer credibility.
What critics are saying
- June 8, 2026 Prop 65 notice targets Kevin’s Korean BBQ Sauce for lead exposure.
- Kroger ranked Kevin’s the priciest prepared-meal option in March 2026, pressuring repeat purchases.
- Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Counter, and Real Good Foods crowd Kevin’s shelf space.
What makes Kevin's Natural Foods unique
- Kevin’s sous-vide proteins and clean-label sauces turn five-minute dinners into restaurant-style meals.
- June 2026 Scramble Starters extend Kevin’s into breakfast, broadening usage beyond dinner occasions.
- Mars keeps Kevin’s standalone within Food & Nutrition, preserving a specialty brand identity.
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Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 27%1 year growth
↑ 27%2 year growth
↑ 27%Kevin's Natural Foods fuels NFL stars at Sack Summit. New partnership strengthens Sack Summit's nutrition lineup. Over in Stockton, California, a new kind of partnership is cooking up something flavorful. Kevin's Natural Foods, the brand that's redefining ready-to-eat meals with clean ingredients, is stepping onto the field - well, off the field - by becoming the Official Clean Eating Partner of the Sack Summit. This ain't just another mundane sponsorship; it's a collaboration set to revolutionize how these gridiron giants approach their off-season fueling. Sack Summit: A premier gathering for defensive gridiron stars. The Sack Summit is no ordinary off-season football camp. Imagine a swarm of All-Pro defensive gurus like Cam Jordan, Von Miller, and Maxx Crosby gathering in Las Vegas not to sip cocktails and roll dice, but to mentor the next wave of defensive legends. It's about finding the edge, about growing as both athletes and leaders. The Summit provides a stage where defensive linemen and pass rushers from across the NFL can hone their craft, learn from the best, and leave as better players and as seasoned pros ready to lead. For Kevin's Natural Foods, the partnership means fueling these athletes with meals that dovetail perfectly with the hard-hitting, and energy-demanding nature of their sport. As the players suit up for days packed with training and learning, they'll be fueled by Kevin's chef-crafted meals, delivering the protein punch needed for muscle recovery and sustained energy. Now, these aren't tasteless, bland trays of rabbit food. No, sir. Each meal is designed to lock in flavor while keeping it clean, gluten-free, and downright healthy. Commitment to performance: on and off the field. Let's face it, the days of athletes crushing hotdogs and nachos on game day are long past. The modern athlete sees food as fuel. Performance isn't just about that battle on the field; it's a daily commitment to being the best in every aspect, and proper nutrition is the cornerstone of this commitment. Cam Jordan taps into this philosophy perfectly. "Talent gets you in the door, but preparation keeps you there," he says, capturing the Summit's essence with simple wisdom. Kevin's Natural Foods backs this commitment, offering meals that combine top-tier nutrition with unfaltering convenience. Becky Graham, the CMO, isn't shy about expressing her excitement for the partnership. According to her, it's a golden fit since the players get clean, restaurant-quality meals without the flavor sacrifice. It's all about making peak performance easier, and these meals do just that, shedding calories, not taste. Kevin's Natural Foods: the game changer in ready meals. This isn't just some fluff snagged onto a football summit. It's a bold statement from a brand that's busting through the corrugated boxes of the food industry, redefining what ready-to-eat meals mean. Under founder Kevin McCray's guidance, Kevin's Natural Foods is at war with the notion that convenient meals can't be healthy. Now they're proving that point alongside the fiercest players in football. The ticker won't be doing somersaults on this announcement, but it's a move worth watching for the market-watchers among Investors Hangout, LLC. Kevin's is putting its stamp on not just joining the lineup but leading the charge for cleaner, more accessible nutrition. This Sack Summit partnership embodies the synergy of athletes who demand peak performance and a food brand that understands what it takes to back up that demand every bite of the way. It's a match brewed over shared missions - like investing in a portfolio that aligns with your values. Conclusion: beyond the game, into lifestyle. The feeling around this partnership stretches beyond football - it's about lifestyle. Kevin's Natural Foods isn't just feeding players; it's feeding into a growing trend of clean eating that bleeds into all walks of life. Whether these athletes win on the field or off, what they consume shapes their outcomes. This collaboration marks a chapter where food and fuel merge seamlessly, setting a precedent for both industries - athletic and culinary.
Kevin's Natural Foods unveils frozen breakfast starters. 06.23.2026 STOCKTON, CALIF. - Kevin's Natural Foods is launching a breakfast line. Kevin's Scramble Starters are available in four frozen varieties, and each starter is intended to be mixed with eggs. Denver-style ham and white cheddar contains applewood-smoked ham, bell peppers, onions and white cheddar cheese sauce. Spinach and bacon Florentine features uncured bacon, poblano peppers, onions and Parmesan cheese sauce. Tex-Mex style avocado chicken is made with chicken breast, poblano peppers, red bell peppers and avocado crema. Ranchero sirloin steak contains sirloin steak, onions, bell peppers and chipotle ranchero sauce. "Consumers shouldn't have to choose between convenience and a delicious breakfast," said Becky Graham, chief marketing officer at Kevin's Natural Foods. "We saw an opportunity to create something entirely new - a satisfying product that brings together the ease of frozen with the experience of cooking fresh, all while delivering the clean ingredients and great taste that Kevin's fans expect." The breakfast line is available in 16-oz bags containing up to four servings each at retailers nationwide. Get better food industry search results. Adding us tells Google to prioritize Food Business News stories.
Kevin's Natural Foods is rolling out a limited-time Buffalo-Style Chicken, giving fans all the fiery flavor they crave without the guilt.
Kevin McCray sold Kevin’s Natural Foods to Mars, Inc. for $800 million, guided by the mantra "humble and hungry." He launched Wild Fox Foods, focusing on better-for-you snacks. Kevin shares insights on building a strong brand, efficient research, and the importance of retailer relationships. He emphasizes quality ingredients and taste for success in the CPG market.
Kevin's revolutionizes the heat-and-serve entree category by adding vegetables to its signature sous-vide meats and sauces in new Stir-Fry Kits. STOCKTON, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevin's Natural Foods is celebrating the nationwide rollout of its new Stir-Fry Kits, the first-ever refrigerated heat-and-serve entrée with a fully cooked protein, sauce, and vegetable component. Perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches, Kevin's Stir-Fry Kits take convenience to the next level. Ready in under 10 minutes, the stir-fry kits are designed to simplify mealtime routines and inspire clean eating that makes you feel as good as it tastes