Plant Manager

SHR Talent is partnering with a manufacturing client in Nashville, TN in its search for a Facility Director to lead the day-to-day operations, maintenance, safety, and overall performance of a manufacturing facility. This leadership position will be responsible for ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently, reliably, and in alignment with organizational goals. The Facility Director will oversee facility management, plant operations, building maintenance, preventative maintenance, capital projects, environmental health and safety, security, and vendor management, while partnering with operations and executive leadership to improve productivity and control costs. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in a manufacturing, industrial, production, or plant environment and a strong understanding of facility infrastructure, maintenance operations, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall facility operations and management of a manufacturing site, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations.
• Oversee facility maintenance, building systems, equipment, utilities, grounds, and infrastructure.
• Develop and manage preventative and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Lead facility improvement initiatives, repairs, renovations, and capital improvement projects from planning through completion.
• Manage facility operating budgets, maintenance expenses, capital expenditures, and vendor costs.
• Establish and monitor facility performance metrics, maintenance KPIs, operating costs, and reliability targets.
• Partner with manufacturing and plant leadership to support production goals, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, environmental regulations, building codes, fire and life safety requirements, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Lead and promote a strong safety culture, ensuring employees and contractors follow established safety policies and procedures.
• Manage relationships with contractors, suppliers, service providers, and facility vendors.
• Negotiate service agreements, contracts, and vendor pricing while ensuring quality and cost effectiveness.
• Coordinate inspections, permitting, facility audits, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, compressed air, utilities, and other critical infrastructure.
• Develop emergency response, business continuity, disaster recovery, and facility contingency plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, facility reliability, and operating costs.
• Lead, mentor, and develop facility, maintenance, and engineering personnel.
• Establish standard operating procedures and maintenance processes to improve facility performance and accountability.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, EHS, Finance, HR, and executive leadership on facility-related initiatives.
• Provide leadership with regular updates regarding facility performance, maintenance needs, capital projects, safety, and operational risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in facility management, plant operations, manufacturing operations, maintenance management, or industrial facilities.
• Previous leadership experience managing facility, maintenance, engineering, or operations teams.
• Strong experience within a manufacturing, industrial, production, or plant environment strongly preferred.
• Proven knowledge of facility management, building maintenance, preventative maintenance, equipment reliability, and plant infrastructure.
• Experience managing facility budgets, capital expenditures, contractors, vendors, and major facility projects.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, EHS, environmental compliance, safety regulations, and building codes.
• Strong experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) principals and Lean Methodology.
• Experience developing and monitoring maintenance KPIs, facility performance metrics, and operating budgets.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple departments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and cost-control experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and facility/maintenance management systems or CMMS platforms.
• Ability to lead through change, implement process improvements, and develop a culture focused on safety, reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.