Plant Manager

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operation and performance of the D3 Upcast facility. This role provides leadership and accountability for safe and efficient production, product quality, employee performance, equipment utilization, production flow, and customer requirements.

The Plant Manager oversees Cast House operations including melting, casting, and logistics. This position leads and develops the plant team, drives continuous improvement, coordinates with maintenance, engineering, quality, production planning, shipping, and other departments, and ensures the facility operates safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate all plant operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and productive operating environment.
• Oversee metal flow throughout the Cast House based on production requirements and customer demand.
• Maintain responsibility for product flow from the furnaces through casting and finishing processes.
• Lead the operation of the vertical casting units, inline casting units, continuous rod caster, furnaces, and inspection operations.
• Ensure the plant consistently produces and delivers quality products that meet customer requirements while minimizing costs and waste.
• Establish, monitor, and track plant performance measures related to safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, delivery, and employee performance.
• Use continuous improvement methods to identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce downtime and waste, improve quality, and strengthen plant safety.
• Partner with maintenance and engineering teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and improve equipment reliability.
• Coordinate with production planning, shipping, quality, engineering, and other departments to ensure production requirements and customer orders are fulfilled completely and on time.
• Ensure all casting, inspection, and production procedures are followed and remain aligned with quality system requirements.
• Lead safety advocacy by identifying, documenting, correcting, and preventing safety issues throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, EHS requirements, quality standards, and applicable regulations.
• Support the hiring, onboarding, training, and development of plant personnel while maintaining a trained and motivated workforce.
• Enable, coach, and guide employees and supervisors to effectively identify and solve problems.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for performance, safety, quality, attendance, and productivity.
• Handle labor relations in accordance with Direct Wire policy, including grievances and disciplinary matters, in partnership with Human Resources.
• Execute company disciplinary procedures in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Participate in quality audits and ensure corrective actions are completed as needed.
• Maintain strong working relationships with engineering, maintenance, quality, production planning, shipping, scrap coordination, and other plant and company leaders.
• Work with facility partners to address building, equipment, and infrastructure issues that may affect plant operations.
• Review production records and operating results to identify issues, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist teams with establishing and tracking goals for plant performance measures.
• Maintain a positive team environment and high employee morale.
• Represent the company professionally with employees, customers, vendors, and other business partners.
• Embrace and promote Direct Wire’s core values: Be a Great Person, Serve Your Customers Well, Do Great Work, and Be a Great Teammate.

Education & Skill Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, management, or a related field preferred.
• Several years of manufacturing, production, or operations management experience required.
• Management experience within an industrial or manufacturing environment required.
• Proven knowledge of casting, metal processing, and downstream manufacturing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment, production processes, safety practices, and quality standards.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams, establish accountability, and develop employees.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and build strong working relationships.
• Ability to represent the company professionally both within and outside of the organization.
• Ability to be on call 24/7 in case of emergencies
• Valid Drivers license with reliable personal vehicle

Working Conditions

• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with federal, state, and local standards, including meeting productivity standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including speaking clearly and listening attentively.
• Ability to work in a variety of physical environments, including indoors and outdoors and in noisy, hot, or dusty conditions.
• Ability to operate computers, printers, and other office equipment.
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment and follow all required PPE and safety procedures.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• D3 operates as a 24/7/365 operation, requiring flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and outside of regular business hours when needed.
• Ability to travel to other company locations when required