Plant Operations Director

Plant Operations Director (USA & Canada Operations)
Location : Pittsburgh, PA (Primary) with regular travel to Listowel, Ontario
Reports To: President, Benshaw Inc.

About Benshaw
Benshaw Inc. is a leading manufacturer of solid-state motor controls, variable frequency drives, and power management solutions serving industrial customers worldwide. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Benshaw designs and manufactures products ranging from 208V to 15kV and fractional horsepower to 60,000 HP, supporting critical applications across industrial, mining, water, oil & gas, power generation, and infrastructure markets.
As part of the Amconex Group, Benshaw is committed to operational excellence, innovation, and delivering world-class manufacturing solutions across North America and globally. Position Summary
The Plant Operations Director is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for Benshaw's manufacturing facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Listowel, Ontario. Reporting directly to the President of Benshaw Inc., this role is accountable for driving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement across both facilities while ensuring alignment with the company's long-term growth strategy.
This leader will oversee all aspects of manufacturing operations, including production, quality, Lean/Continuous Improvement, warehousing, automation, and supply chain collaboration. While partnering closely with Engineering, Sales, Sourcing, Finance, and executive leadership within both Benshaw and Amconex to optimize performance, improve customer satisfaction, and build a scalable, high-performing manufacturing organization. Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership for manufacturing operations at Benshaw Pittsburgh (USA) and Listowel (Ontario, Canada), ensuring consistent execution of operational strategies and performance objectives.
• Serve as the Plant Manager for the Pittsburgh facility, overseeing day-to-day manufacturing activities and operational performance.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure production schedules meet customer commitments while maintaining the highest standards for quality, safety, and cost performance.

Manufacturing Excellence

• Lead complex manufacturing operations including:
  • Power electronics assembly
  • Motor controls and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
  • Soft starters
  • Sheet metal fabrication
  • Panel building
  • Switchgear and Motor Control Center (MCC) assembly
• Drive manufacturing best practices to improve throughput, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Optimize facility layout, production flow, warehousing, automation, and overall manufacturing footprint.
• Evaluate opportunities for vertical integration and strategic operational investments.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and operational excellence initiatives across both facilities.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable process improvements that increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Establish performance metrics and accountability systems to drive continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team, including Production Managers, Plant Supervisors, Quality, Lean/Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Engineering, and Warehouse leadership.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, safety, innovation, and employee engagement.
• Support succession planning and leadership development to strengthen organizational capability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Quality, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure seamless execution of customer requirements.
• Lead the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process to align demand planning, production capacity, inventory strategy, and business priorities.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to improve supplier performance, inventory optimization, and material availability.

Performance & Financial Management

• Drive key operational metrics including:
  • Safety performance
  • On-time delivery
  • Quality and first-pass yield
  • Productivity and labor efficiency
  • Inventory turns
  • Cost reduction
  • Customer satisfaction
• Develop and manage operating budgets, capital expenditures, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and workplace safety requirements in both the United States and Canada.

Executive Leadership

• Communicate operational performance, strategic initiatives, capital projects, and continuous improvement results to the President of Benshaw Inc. and Amconex executive leadership.
• Participate in strategic planning and support long-term business growth initiatives.
• Lead organizational change management efforts that position Benshaw for continued expansion and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including senior-level plant management responsibilities in a complex industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proven success leading multi-site manufacturing operations and driving transformational change.
• Deep understanding of industrial electrical equipment manufacturing, including:
  • Motor controls
  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
  • Soft starters
  • Power electronics
  • Sheet metal fabrication
  • Panel building
  • Switchgear
  • Motor Control Center (MCC) assemblies
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and data-driven manufacturing management.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, capital investments, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to travel regularly between Pittsburgh, PA and Listowel, Ontario, and occasionally to other Amconex locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration (MBA).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Experience within engineered-to-order, configure-to-order, or industrial power equipment manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading operations within a global manufacturing organization.

Why Join Benshaw?
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead manufacturing operations for one of North America's premier industrial power solutions manufacturers while partnering with the global Amconex organization to shape the future of operational excellence.

The Plant Operations Director will have a direct impact on strategic growth, manufacturing modernization, automation initiatives, and organizational development across both U.S. and Canadian operations.

Since our founding in 1983, Benshaw has grown to become a recognized leader in the design, development and manufacture of mission critical motor controls and drives. That’s why, when the application is critical, and the environment harsh, customers specify Benshaw more than any other brand.

Intelligent, creative, and determined people have made us who we are today.  We recognize that hiring and developing talent is a key element in our continued growth.  We are looking for people with ambition and commitment to excellence to continue to drive these results.  If you are looking for a business environment where people treat each other with mutual respect and dignity and each employee can make a difference, Benshaw is the company for you. 
 
Please Note: This position requires candidates to be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis, without restriction and without the need for current or future visa sponsorship. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals on F-1 OPT, CPT, H-1B, or other temporary work authorizations. We are unable to provide employment visa sponsorship for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Benshaw is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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