VP Manufacturing

Title: VP Manufacturing

Location: Kennewick, WA

About Lamb Weston

You’ve probably enjoyed our fries without even knowing it! As a leading manufacturer in our industry, and public Fortune 500 company, we inspire and bring people together with foods they love and trust. Our customer base includes international food service providers, restaurants, and households in over 100 countries around the world.

A highly innovative global corporation with a start-up mindset, we empower every individual to make a genuine difference. You’ll gain access to hands-on training to fuel your growth and success, explore opportunities for new solutions, and you’ll join a winning team of 10,000+ people all dedicated to raising the bar – together.

If you have a strong drive for results, a desire to help us bring the world together through our fries, and are ready for a fresh challenge, we want to hear from you.

Job Description Summary

Accountable for multi-site plant operations which provide products that meet safety, quality, cost, volume and customer service criteria. Defines and recommends the strategic direction needed to achieve long-term operating and profit goals. Utilizes integrated talent management processes to develop and guide next level leaders throughout the operations division. Formulates short- and long-term operating objectives in areas such as talent development, quality improvement, cost reduction, manufacturing/processing efficiency, and new product development. Develops and implements plans to achieve appropriate production volumes and profit projections. Ensures that product quality is met within budget and safety standards are adhered to as a priority. Provides financial reports to management to review progress against goals. Collaborates with finance, planning, distribution, marketing, commercial, food safety/ quality, procurement, transportation and other departments in order to coordinate all aspects of operations efficiently and effectively. Defines and directs administration of policies within context of company-wide policies.

Job Description

• Embeds life safety culture throughout the organization. Develops and implements overall operations safety initatives collaboratively with Corporate EHS

• Drives food safety culture throughout the organization. Develops and implements overall operations food safety and quality initatives collaboratively with Corporate FSQ

• Fosters a ‘Speak Up’ culture rooted in Lamb Weston values

• Leads plant management to ensure Lamb Weston Operations’ strategic plan connects to Lamb Weston’s overall business strategies, is effectively deployed and executed against

• Instills a zero-loss manufacturing culture focused on continuous improvement and delivering world class sustainable performance

• Assesses, identifies, and develops talent to ensure future leaders are bench ready for growth assignments. Builds capability in the manufacturing organization

• Sets, measures, and improves Plant Key Performance Indicators.  Coaches plant management for excellence in ensuring delivery of products that meet quality, cost, volume, and service criteria

• Defines and directs the framework and intent of the company’s manufacturing policy

• Key decision maker in the allocation of company resources (raw product, labor, capital improvement dollars)

• Implements programs that drive sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing and packaging

• Other duties as assigned

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years progressive experience in plant manufacturing environment with strong preference for food manufacturing experience preferably in potato processing

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or similar field. 

• Experience in large manufacturing operations department management – preferably food processing/manufacturing

• Proven leadership and management skills

• Demonstrated ability to assess and develop people

• Leadership of continuous improvement processes including cost reduction/savings programs, innovation, customer complaint resolution, plant/employee safety and security

• Food safety and quality management experience within the plant environment and in managing customer relationships

• Project Management (multi-functional high complexity projects) experience

• Valid driver’s license and driving record to meet company standards

• Ability to travel independently domestically and internationally. Travel up to 50% of time

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive.  Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts

• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program

• Paid Time Off

• Financial Wellness – Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance

• Family-Friendly Employee events

• Employee Assistance Program services – mental health and other concierge type services

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Job Requisition ID: Req-259538

Time Type: Full time

The anticipated close date is a good faith estimate for when this job will be closed. Some jobs may be unposted or filled earlier or later than the Anticipated Close Date depending on interview processes and business needs. Anticipated Close Date: 02/15/2026

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range posted based on various factors, including, but not limited to, job duties, experience and expertise. A candidate’s work location could also impact the actual compensation being outside of the range to reflect local cost of labor. A reasonable annual estimate of the range for this role based on the variables previously mentioned is: $224,900.00 - $337,350.00

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law