Plant Manager (Ridgefield)

Position Title: Plant Manager

Reports To: President

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: On-site at plant location

About Saunders Midwest

At Saunders Midwest, a Castleray portfolio company, we are driven by the impact that our products have on our customers. To this end, we've initiated a relentless pursuit of commercial and operational excellence in everything we do. Our team is passionate about building and shaping the future through transformative products and a culture that empowers every voice. As a growing organization, we are actively integrating dynamic brands and expertise to expand our impact across the globe.

Why Join Us:

Join us and become part of a dynamic, collaborative team where your ideas make a real impact. At Saunders Midwest we manufacture innovative products that help people and improve everyday lives. We offer opportunities for professional growth, a supportive work environment, and the chance to work on projects that truly matter. Your success and contributions are celebrated every step of the way.

Come be a part of our team – you’ll work with great people, pioneering products and cutting-edge technology.

Saunders Midwest provides flexible benefits including paid time off, health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision plan options, and health spending accounts), and 401 (k) retirement savings. Spousal and other eligible dependent coverage is available on select health plans.

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and operational performance of the manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role oversees all aspects of production, shipping, and receiving, driving continuous improvement and aligning plant operations with organizational objectives. The Plant Manager leads and develops a team focused on operational excellence, safety, quality, and on-time delivery, while managing resources and fostering a culture of accountability and growth.

The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and a culture of safety, accountability, and employee engagement across all aspects of production, shipping, and receiving. This leader will play a key role in optimizing processes, reducing costs, and aligning plant operations with organizational objectives, developing a high-performing team committed to delivering superior results.

What you’ll bring:

This role supports the efficient operation of manufacturing and corporate processes while maintaining a strong focus on safety, productivity, and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing and warehouse operations with at least 5 years in a plant or operations management role
• Strong knowledge and implementation of lean manufacturing tools, continuous improvement, and safety best practices
• Proficiency with ERP systems and operational analytics tools
• Experience engaging directly with customers for plant tours, audits, and similar activities, ensuring effective communication and positive relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with suppliers to drive development and improvement objectives
• Proven record of leading high-performing teams within a visual management environment, demonstrating effective people leadership and accountability
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing plant operations in a regulated, ISO-certified, or safety-critical environment
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Experience with Syspro or Acumatica ERP systems
• Ability to speak a second language, with an emphasis on Spanish

Impact you’ll make:

Safety, Compliance & Facility Stewardship

• Champion a safe work environment by enforcing rigorous safety protocols and practices.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA and all regulatory requirements.
• Lead safety training, audits, and incident response to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain facility standards and manage capital projects and maintenance initiatives.
• Oversee environmental stewardship and sustainability programs.

Operational Leadership & Plant Performance

• Oversee all production, shipping, and receiving operations to meet safety, quality, and delivery targets.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company objectives and continuous improvement.
• Optimize plant processes and resource utilization to maximize throughput and minimize downtime.
• Monitor daily performance and resolve operational issues to ensure seamless workflow.
• Ensure timely fulfillment of customer orders and manage exceptions proactively.

Process Improvement & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement lean manufacturing practices to reduce waste and increase productivity.
• Facilitate kaizen, 5S, and other process improvement initiatives.
• Analyze operational data and KPIs to drive fact-based decision-making.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for process failures.
• Standardize best practices across shifts and teams.

Quality & Customer Satisfaction

• Ensure strict adherence to quality standards and procedures.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement in response to customer feedback.
• Oversee non-conformance investigations and resolution.
• Collaborate with quality team to maintain certifications and compliance.
• Foster a culture of pride in product quality and customer focus.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage plant budgets, expense controls, and capital expenditures.
• Track and improve cost metrics, productivity, and efficiency KPIs.
• Develop and justify business cases for investments and improvements.
• Maximize asset utilization and minimize waste.
• Report on financial performance and identify opportunities for margin improvement.

Team Development & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop plant staff and supervisors to build a high-performance, accountable culture.
• Drive employee engagement, retention, and professional growth at all levels.
• Foster an environment of open communication, trust, and collaboration.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and respect in all aspects of plant operations.
• Model company values and ethical standards in every interaction.

Change Leadership & Organizational Growth

• Lead change management initiatives to support business transformation.
• Build organizational capabilities and succession plans.
• Communicate vision, goals, and progress to all plant employees.
• Inspire commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Support integration of new technologies and digital tools.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with supply chain, quality, maintenance, engineering, and commercial leaders to design and execute strategic operational improvements.
• Support product launches, changeovers, and new process implementations.
• Coordinate with logistics and customer service to ensure on-time shipments.
• Align operations with sales forecasts and inventory targets.
• Represent the plant in cross-site and corporate initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to drive a vehicle, maintain a valid driver’s license, and meet insurability requirements.
• Near visual acuity sufficient for reading reports, spreadsheets, screens, and digital content.
• Ability to sit for extended periods in an office environment.
• Full manual dexterity to type, navigate a computer, and use standard office equipment throughout the workday.
• Ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing sites to support operations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and integrity.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to support time‑sensitive financial cycles.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs in a fast‑paced environment.
• Professional interpersonal skills appropriate for interacting with leadership, plant staff, vendors, and ownership.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability ]]>