Plant Manager

Overview

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions, committed to sustainability and innovation. With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, we deliver high-quality products across multiple industries while recycling over half a billion pounds of plastic annually. At ADS, we foster a culture where diverse perspectives drive better ideas, ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to make an impact.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Plant Manager to join our team! In this role, you will oversee plant operations, ensuring safety, driving production, and collaborating with various departments to achieve business objectives. If you are passionate about manufacturing operations, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Champion a safe work environment by leading initiatives that embed a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and corporate standards.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and employee retention metrics.
• Lead and sustain continuous improvement efforts using Lean principles and data-driven problem-solving to eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Promote a culture of discipline, consistency, and accountability by reinforcing standardized processes and work practices.
• Manage staffing levels, succession planning, and talent development to align with production needs and build leadership capability across all shifts.
• Coach, mentor, and engage frontline leaders to strengthen decision-making and team performance.
• Support company’s culture statement by fostering employee engagement strategies to reduce turnover, improve morale, and sustain productivity.
• Translate corporate and regional strategies into actionable plant-level objectives, leveraging technology, data, and CI tools to achieve sustained KPI improvements safely.
• Oversee inventory control, materials management, and fulfillment accuracy to support production goals and superior customer service.
• Develop, manage, and adjust the operational budget in response to changing business demands and market conditions.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with EHS, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams to align operational plans, schedules, and priorities.
• Communicate plant performance clearly and consistently to employees, peers, and leadership to ensure transparency and shared accountability.
• Participate in regional initiatives and enterprise projects that support manufacturing excellence and align plant objectives with broader corporate priorities.
• Engage with local organizations, schools, and events to build meaningful community relationships that enhance ADS brand visibility and position the plant as a preferred local employer.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 10+ years of managerial experience in a production environment.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong operational skills and knowledge of lean business practices.
• Ability to drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team leader/member with diverse groups.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, reach, bend, and move about the facility.
• Occasionally lift and move up to 25 lbs.
• Travel – 10%.

Skills & Competencies:

• Leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Operational and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of lean business practices.
• Ability to coach and develop team members.
• Strong communication skills.

Company Benefits:

Health & Welfare Benefits: Medical and prescription drug plans, telemedicine (with medical plan), High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Health Savings Account (HSA), dental and vision plans, virtual physical therapy*, an employee assistance program (EAP)*, and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnification programs.

  Financial Benefits: Retirement 401k program with company match, an employee stock purchase plan (voluntary), financial wellness planning*, paid parental leave*, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for child care and health care, short-term and long-term disability*, basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)*, adoption financial reimbursement*, tuition reimbursement*, voluntary life insurance (for employees, spouses, and children), and voluntary identity theft and fraud protection.

*100% paid by ADS.

Why Join ADS?

Growth Opportunities & Global Presence: With a global network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 40 distribution centers, ADS offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development in various locations around the world.

Inclusive and Creative Work Culture: ADS fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering employees to shape industry-leading solutions. We value diverse perspectives, recognizing that they drive better ideas, processes, and performance. Our workplace is built on respect, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, ensuring every team member feels valued and contributes to our collective success.

Innovative & Sustainability Focused: Advanced Drainage Systems is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year.

Learn More:

EEO Statement

ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.