Plant Manager

Job Description

Plant Manager

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to provide overall leadership, drive operational excellence, and oversee all aspects of a manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient production while leading continuous improvement initiatives, maintaining quality standards, and developing high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate has experience in Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing environments and can effectively balance safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while aligning plant operations with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all plant operations, including production, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, and materials management.
• Execute production schedules to meet customer deadlines in an Engineer-to-Order manufacturing environment.
• Partner with leadership to align operational strategy with business objectives.

Continuous Improvement

• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including:
  • 5S
  • Standardization
  • Visual Management
  • Process Flow
  • Line Balancing
  • Value Stream Mapping
  • Root Cause Analysis
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement solutions to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze operational metrics to support data-driven decision making.
• Support capital planning and equipment investments.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and workplace safety standards.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability.
• Lead incident investigations and corrective actions to reduce workplace risks.

Quality & Production Excellence

• Maintain quality standards throughout manufacturing operations.
• Partner with engineering and quality teams to resolve production challenges.
• Monitor key performance indicators including:
  • Productivity
  • Scrap
  • Rework
  • On-time delivery

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term operational planning.
• Evaluate new technologies and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, training, and succession planning.

Budget & Cost Control

• Develop and manage operational budgets.
• Monitor labor efficiency and operating expenses.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Make strategic decisions regarding staffing, maintenance, and equipment investments.

Leadership & Team Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop manufacturing teams.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance work environment.

Desired Leadership Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Business Acumen
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Customer Focus
• Results Orientation
• Effective Communication
• Initiative & Accountability
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Leadership Influence
• Conflict Resolution
• Learning Agility
• Self-Awareness
• Coaching & Employee Development

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and develop multiple levels of manufacturing leadership.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and operational direction for plant personnel.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in an Operations Manager, Plant Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Experience in Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and/or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt preferred; Black Belt a plus).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, continuous improvement, production systems, and operational metrics.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills preferred for supporting a diverse workforce.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (MBA, Engineering, Operations, or related discipline).
• Experience within industrial manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety program implementation.
• Experience working in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments.

Core Competencies

• Operational Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Planning
• Team Development
• Safety & Compliance
• Manufacturing Excellence
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Accountability

Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing environment and requires regular standing, walking, lifting, reaching, and interacting with production equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.