---
title: 'Agricultural Operations / Plant Manager at Hawaiian Host Group'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/agricultural-operations-plant-manager-hawaiian-host-group-captain-cook-7eqx8sy5gtrv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Agricultural Operations / Plant Manager at Hawaiian Host Group

- **Company:** Hawaiian Host Group
- **Location:** Captain Cook, HI
- **Compensation:** $115k–$140k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hawaiianhost/d5c7b130-ed24-411e-bd48-d5306fc0cf42

## Job description

Are you known for exceeding expectations? Do you embrace the Spirit of Hawai‘i? Then please keep reading because we’re looking for people like you at Hawaiian Host Group.

Who are we? Hawaiian Host Group (HHG) is a leading Hawai‘i-based consumer goods company with a portfolio of brands that includes Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, MacFarms, and Kapua Orchards. Sold in over 23 countries, HHG produces a suite of products ranging from flavored macadamia nuts to premium treats. Our dedicated team of Hosts of Hawai‘i is spread across our headquarters in Honolulu and offices in Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. HHG has 3 manufacturing plants in Hawai'i, as well as the state's largest single macadamia farm.

We are an excited team of people that all have one vision in common: sharing the Spirit of Hawai‘i with the world. Expect camaraderie, product tastings, and other (virtual and in-person) events that make our culture unique. And more importantly, know that your work contributes to our purpose; to make the Islands’ future flourish. We do this through our Takitani foundation that grants scholarships to deserving local students, our solar farm on the Big Island, and other social & environmental initiatives.

That’s enough about us for now, we’d love to learn more about you. Read the job description below and let us know if you’re interested. We can’t wait to meet you!

## POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the General Manager of Ag Operations at our Kapua Orchards facility in South Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, the Plant Manager oversees and supervises daily processing and plant operations. All of the product grown and processed at this facility are used in our Mauna Loa and Hawaiian Host products, two of Hawaii’s largest retail brands sold and distributed across the U.S. and Asia. This role is accountable for human safety excellence, product quality, food safety protocols, production efficiency, high kernel recovery, cost management, maintenance, maintenance reliability, supplier accountability, warehousing, continuous improvement and overall plant performance driving improved yield and throughput.  The Plant Manager role is a hands-on job and works closely with front line employees, leads by example, and works closely with cross-functional partners to ensures company targets are achieved.

## ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Oversee all stages of the macadamia nut processing flow: WIS receiving, drying, cracking, optical sorting, pasteurizing, roasting, manual sorting, and sizing.
- Leading all Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehousing, and Scheduling functions and managers at the site and working closely with the site Orchard Manager and site FSQA Manager while reporting to the site GM.
- Key Leadership Competencies:    Strong People Leadership, Ability to Coach and Lead Change (in a challenging environment), Highly Adaptable to New Cultures, Strong Problem-Solving Capability, Ability to Motivate and Inspire, and Ability to Hold Teams and Individuals Accountable to goals and business targets.
- Key Technical Experience and Competencies:   Agricultural Plant Processing Management (Macadamia Nut Processing highly preferred), Optical Sorter Technology, Optimizing Manual Sorting, Labor Scheduling/Efficiency, Strong Maintenance/Engineering Experience (driving low downtime/high efficiency/high yield).
- Direct and manage all plant activities and goals, including but not limited to, execution of safety and quality programs (FDA, FSMA, HACCP, etc.), regulatory compliance, personnel development, training, production planning, scheduling, cost control, inventory control and FIFO management, and facilities and equipment repair and maintenance.
- Promote a safe, positive and inclusive workplace culture consistent with Hawaiian Host Group values of being United, Persevering, encouraging Bold ideas for improvement and Taking Initiative.  The Plant Manager leads with integrity, respect, and servant leadership.
- Experience in running a Maintenance Department, including use of a CMMS and leveraging best practices to drive highly reliable preventive maintenance and summer and weekend overhaul work.
- Experience in continuous improvement, including Lean Manufacturing, line bottleneck constraint analysis and improvement, leading with daily metrics with employee engagement, and project management skills for process change deployment.
- Ensure alignment of plans and processes with strategic initiatives aimed at reducing processing costs through optimal utilization of resources. Collaborate with other departments to achieve business goals while surpassing customer expectations.
- Role also works closely on best practices with the other Hawaiian Host Group Plant Managers in the company and includes mentorship by the Chief Operating Officer.
- Coordinate plant operations with department managers to achieve processing objectives efficiently and within budget.
- Develop, implement, and monitor the plant budget, while increasing production and controlling spending.
- Implement cost-effective systems and processes of control over capital, operating expenditures, manpower, wages, and salaries.
- Enhance workforce utilization through optimized operations and processes, ensuring adequate staffing levels, retention, and motivating, training, and equipping staff effectively.
- Strong floor presence up to 50% of time spent engaging with employees and monitoring overall plant performance, maintaining production and quality standards.
- Monitor overall plant performance, maintaining production and quality standards.
- Maintain plant facilities and equipment to ensure smooth and safe operations, replacing or adjusting equipment as needed.
- Continuously improve safety records by addressing physical safety issues and fostering positive safety attitudes, aiming for zero incidents annually.
- Demonstrate effective leadership qualities to lead and manage a diverse team, identifying developmental opportunities and creating individual development plans.
- Hire, lead, motivate and retain the team to achieve goals and exceed customer expectations.
- Lead and develop a team of supervisors, leads, maintenance technicians, operators, and staff across a two-shift operation.
- Prepare monthly reports for the business, including productivity metrics and budget costs, partnering with finance and accounting.
- Fulfill any additional duties or projects assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to meeting organizational needs.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required:

- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in production, manufacturing, and operations management within the food processing / manufacturing / ag industries.
- Minimum of five to seven (7) years of general management experience, preferably in a plant/production manufacturing environment.
- Understanding of product quality standards, regulatory compliance, and preventive maintenance programs, and continuous improvement.
- Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.
- Strong managerial skills encompass effective communication, delegation, and motivation.
- Must have strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Capacity to work with and relate to employees at all levels of the organization.
- Basic knowledge of engineering and technical principles.
- Proficiency in equipment and machinery repair and maintenance, including operation of tools such as hand trucks, pallet jacks, and various power tools.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Competency in computer systems and software applications.

## PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration and will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

NOTE:This job description is not intended to cover or contain a complete listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Hawaiian Host is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Hawaiian Host Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

HHG may communicate with candidates via text message regarding job applications and related recruitment activities. Text messaging is optional. For more information on how we use and protect your information, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions: https://www.hawaiianhostgroup.com/privacy-policy/#SMS-Program-Privacy-Policy

## About Hawaiian Host Group

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hawaiian Host Group is a Hawai‘i-based agricultural, manufacturing, and consumer goods company that is the world’s largest branded macadamia nut company.
- **Entity Type**: Private (established, family-founded, no recent funding rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, United States
- **Founded**: 1927
- **Founders**: Mamoru Takitani and Aiko Takitani

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage
- **Target customers**: B2C (direct consumers), B2B (retailers, club stores, food service), B2B2C (partnerships with organizations like schools and nonprofits)
- **Mission or purpose**: “Exceed expectations with the Spirit of Hawai‘i – in everything we do.” The company also states, “We are the hosts of Hawai‘i. It is our job to make the Islands’ future flourish.”

## Products & Services
- **Hawaiian Host**: Iconic chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and chocolates (brand flagship)
- **Mauna Loa**: Dry-roasted and flavored macadamia nuts (acquired in 2015)
- **MacFarms**: Macadamias sold exclusively in club stores (acquired in 2023)
- **KOHO**: Luxury artisan chocolate bon bons and island-inspired chocolates (launched 2021)
- **Kapua Orchards**: One of the world’s largest macadamia orchards (4,000 acres, acquired in 2023)

All products are consumer packaged goods. The company also operates manufacturing plants in Honolulu and Kea‘au, and a farm south of Kona.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company)
- **Key Metric**: ~500 employees (~430 based in Hawai‘i); operations support an additional 3,000 jobs across the state
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Partners include DSD Renewables (solar), No Ka Oi Energy, Arc of Hilo, Keiki Rise, Mana Up, Digital Ready Hawai‘i, Kamehameha Schools, University of Hawai‘i
- **Growth Signals**: Acquired Mauna Loa (2015), launched KOHO luxury brand (2021), acquired MacFarms and Kapua Orchards (2023); installed 1.2 MW solar farm capable of powering 85% of its Mauna Loa processing plant; named one of Hawai‘i’s most charitable organizations multiple years

## Competitive Advantages
- **Largest branded macadamia nut company globally**, with a vertically integrated supply chain (own orchards, processing, manufacturing)
- **Strong brand portfolio** covering mass market (Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa), club/channel (MacFarms), and luxury (KOHO)
- **Deep cultural authenticity** (“Spirit of Hawai‘i”) and community roots, providing a unique differentiator in the food industry
- **Sustainability leadership**: Solar farms, wastewater system, sustainable packaging, and carbon footprint reduction efforts

## Strategic Focus
- **Sustainability**: Expanding renewable energy (solar farm, 100% renewable energy capability at Mauna Loa facility), reducing environmental impact through packaging and wastewater initiatives
- **Community & Education**: Growing the Takitani Foundation (over $12.5M in scholarships/grants), supporting local entrepreneurs through Mana Up and Keiki Rise, and strengthening partnerships with Hawai‘i schools
- **Product Innovation**: Growing the luxury KOHO brand (already voted Best Luxury Chocolates Made in Hawaii by Honolulu Magazine) and continuing to expand distribution in over 23 countries
- **Vertical Integration & Orchard Ownership**: Recent acquisition of Kapua Orchards secures supply and quality control

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: The company emphasizes the “Spirit of Hawai‘i” — warmth, connection, humor, and pride. Employees report a fun, collaborative environment with company events, product tastings, and learning workshops (e.g., speakers from Hawaiian Airlines, Central Pacific Bank, Olympic gold medalists)
- **Hybrid/Remote Policy**: Optional work from home Fridays; flexible scheduling based on needs
- **Benefits**: Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with employer match (via Fidelity), paid vacation, 10 paid holidays + float day(s), aloha Friday dress code
- **Perks**: Employee product discounts, flash sales, new product tastings, parking benefits, bus pass program, onsite perks vary by location
- **Talent Development**: Bi-annual growth conversations, learning workshops, and internal career mobility (openings in engineering/maintenance, production, corporate functions)

## Sources
1. [hawaiianhostgroup.com/about](https://www.hawaiianhostgroup.com/about/)
2. [hawaiianhostgroup.com/careers](https://www.hawaiianhostgroup.com/careers/)
3. [wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Host_Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Host_Group)
4. [jobs.lever.co/hawaiianhost](https://jobs.lever.co/hawaiianhost)
5. [hawaiianhostgroup.com/](https://www.hawaiianhostgroup.com/)

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