Plant Manager

The New Department Plant Manager is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the plant’s production operations to ensure that company goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance are consistently achieved. This position oversees all manufacturing functions, including machining, assembly, production scheduling, maintenance, and quality, while driving continuous improvement initiatives aligned with company objectives. The Plant Manager works closely with the VP of Operations and the leadership team to establish production priorities, optimize resource utilization, and maintain compliance with ISO and OSHA standards. This role requires a strong focus on lean manufacturing, workforce development, and proactive communication to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Essential Duties Additional duties may be assigned as required. Leadership and Operations Management Receive direction from the VP of Ops regarding production priorities, scheduling, and strategic objectives. Direct, coordinate, and oversee all activities related to manufacturing and product distribution. Develop and execute daily and weekly production schedules in coordination with the management and production team. Prioritize work orders based on production schedules, material availability, and customer delivery requirements. Monitor and manage the flow of in-process and scheduled orders to ensure timely completion. Lead daily team huddles to communicate shipment status, resource issues, and performance updates. Provide clear leadership to supervisors and production staff to ensure operational goals are met. Workforce Management and Development Determine staffing requirements and coordinate hiring, training, and development of all production employees. Conduct 90‑day and annual performance reviews for hourly personnel. Approve employee timecards, vacation requests, and attendance in ADP. Collaborate with Human Resources to address performance or disciplinary issues in accordance with company policy. Train and mentor employees on safe and efficient machining practices, including proper speeds, feeds, and tool selection. Promote job rotation and cross‑training to increase workforce flexibility and capability. Safety, Quality, and Compliance Partner with the Quality Department to ensure all safety and quality standards are met or exceeded. Maintain full compliance with ISO, OSHA, and internal safety and quality standards. Oversee and manage non‑conformances within the manufacturing process, ensuring prompt resolution and documentation. Coach employees on corrective action and root cause analysis to drive continuous improvement. Ensure all standard work procedures and ISO processes are consistently followed on the production floor. Continuous Improvement and Efficiency Lead lean manufacturing initiatives focused on waste reduction, efficiency improvement, and cost control. Identify and document operational inefficiencies and collaborate with Quality and Engineering to implement improvements. Increase production throughput and reduce cycle times through process optimization and tooling enhancements. Conduct annual reviews of equipment, tooling, and technology to identify opportunities for upgrades or replacements. Oversee maintenance planning, ensuring timely completion of maintenance requests and preventive maintenance activities. Communication and Coordination Maintain regular communication with the VP of Ops and leadership team regarding operational performance, challenges, and improvement plans. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, and Sales departments to align production goals with customer and business requirements. Facilitate weekly or as‑needed production meetings to review progress, priorities, and improvement initiatives. Serve as a key point of contact for interdepartmental coordination and issue resolution. General Responsibilities Step in to perform supervisory or production duties when necessary to maintain operational continuity. Execute plant‑level initiatives and strategic projects as defined in the company’s annual business plan. Supervisory Responsibilities Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above, and below, are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Language Ability Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Math Ability Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning Ability Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Made2Manage, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Outlook. Education / Experience Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field; Or minimum of 10 years of experience in operations management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role; Or a combination of both education and relevant experience. Specialized Training Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities Ability to read blueprints Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder knowledge Familiar with process‑flow manufacturing operation to ensure required materials/parts are available and ready as needed to complete orders on time Ability to manage the flow of orders scheduled and in‑process Familiarity with cylinder product line / mechanical background, able to read drawings, use measuring devices such measuring tape, micrometers, check gauges, and calipers Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and able to work in company’s Made to Manage M2M software system for tracking orders and materials Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20+ pounds. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to wear safety glasses and hard sole/close toed shoes with a low heel when walking through the manufacturing shop and/or repair shop whether as part of performing their job or just passing through. In addition, long hair must be tied back when around hazards of flame, machinery, or equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Yates Industries, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides employment and advancement opportunities to its employees without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, transgender status, weight, height, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship, disability, genetic makeup, military or veteran status, misdemeanor arrest record (not resulting in conviction) or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, employee benefits, promotional opportunities, disciplinary decisions, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Yates Industries, Inc.