Plant Manager

Plant Manager

KPS Global is the largest provider of insulated panel systems for custom walk-ins to the convenience store, supermarket and warehouse club markets. We also manufacture custom enclosures for controlled environments for the scientific and industrial markets.

Setting the industry standard for more than 75 years, with knowledgeable experts who work with customers to develop custom cold storage solutions for a wide range of industries including food retail, industrial and scientific markets.

KPSG is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas with five manufacturing locations in Fort Worth, TX; Piney Flats, TN; Conyers, GA, San Dimas, CA and Goodyear, AZ.

KPS Global believes in people who drive positive change. We value outstanding people who are deeply committed to providing innovative, high-quality service to customers from coast to coast. As a member of the KPSG team, you will be part of an exciting and modern company culture where you will enjoy professional growth and benefit from an environment where creativity, innovation and hard work are rewarded.

KPS Global is a privately held company, owned by the Viessmann Generations Group, with more than 850 employees.

Job Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for overall plant operations. This includes assuring a safe workplace followed by meeting all production demands. Production goals shall be achieved while adhering to best-in-class quality standards and plant efficiency targets. Additional key responsibilities include equipment maintenance (through an effective preventative maintenance program), employee engagement advancing both the business and LEAN culture for quality and productivity optimization, advancing cross training initiatives for increased workforce flexibility, and developing sound rapports with all supporting functions within and across other KPS facilities. This position will report to the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations.

The chosen candidate will also be responsible for workflow and workforce utilization, building close ties with peer Plant Managers, (to identify and put in place total business best practices), the Insides Sales Community, Outside Sales, and others. Assist in developing annual business labor and productivity plans, expense budget requirements, safety goals and others and the control of all.

Major Responsibilities

• Interest and ability to understand the key aspects of the manufacturing process and product CTQ features. Grasp process knowledge, allowing one to be conversant with operators, engineers, and others as a routine, time in factory a must. Ability to identify issues or non-conforming processes while in the factory and surface to area owners building creditability and confidence with the team.
• Own daily company operations to ensure a positive, safe, and productive working environment.
• Coordinate with Master Scheduling in manpower planning and adherence to in keeping with the cyclical nature of the business. Support budget development for recurring expense and capital needs and operate within. Own defined Operational Performance metrics adherence to and control / corrective measures as needed.
• Implement strategies and action plans to ensure that the facility supports KPS Global LLC's strategic initiatives (examples: work transfer, business operating systems overhaul, new product introductions and supporting processes, etc.).
• Plan, organize and direct the manufacturing and maintenance operations to ensure the most effective use of resources (man and machine).
• Improve manpower utilization within existing departments and processes to assure productivity initiatives and efficiency standards are realized (individual initiative as well as group initiatives across all plants).
• Initiate plans and processes which minimize costs through effective utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital. Assure attainment of business objectives and production schedules while ensuring product standards are met.
• Continually improve safety records by addressing safety issues (near misses and recordables), support and assure compliance with the established safety program. Work closely with centralized EHS representative.
• Prepare and submit operating reports that summarize operations (monthly) with comment on positive as well as shortfall situations with appropriate recovery dialogue
• Engage employees in a team atmosphere advancing employee involvement and process and quality ownership. Promote as a culture open - dialogue, idea generation, and winning as a team.
• Coordinate with other Plant Managers for asset utilization, sharing of best practices, capital expenditure reviews. Intent: mirror image operations plant-to-plant.

Required Skills

• Clear understanding and application of Lean Manufacturing Methodologies. Experienced with TPS (Toyota Production System)
• Natural Change Agent, always looking for opportunities to improve process, product, and people.
• Candidate must have ability to work independently, be a self-starter and self-managed.
• A flexible and adaptable leader in highly fluid environment (comfortably handles rapid and repeated changes in priority and focus); can manage processes effectively and uses interpersonal savvy to relate to others.
• Proven track record of strong operational leadership and demonstrated business acumen. Building and maintaining a high performing team.
• Must have a natural bias for action, guided by proactive thinking and planning.
• Ability to anticipate the implications and consequences of situations and take appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies.
• Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating a wide variety of activities; developing implementing and communicating policies and procedures for organization; analyzing data, making sound recommendations, and adopting effective causes of action; working persuasively and tactfully with all levels of the organization.
• Supervision of professional staff; communicating effectively both in oral and written form
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook. Quick study and utilization of the business ERP system

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business or technical related field preferred
• Six years' experience in high volume mass customization production environment (housing construction experience a good fit) with a career of key building block roles supporting success in a Plant Manager capacity
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to be a hands-on manager
• Ability to review and discuss results or production reports both quantitatively and qualitatively
• Previous project management experience
• Successful experience in fostering teamwork and driving employee engagement at all levels
• Strong knowledge of OSHA Industry Standards (aware of incidents, accident investigation, developing preventative plans to assure prevent reoccurrence).
• Proven ability to recruit, train and develop employees (heavily supported by Human Resources)
• Good analytical problem-solving skills
• Proven experience and successes in Continuous Improvement / LEAN applications (Toyota Production Principles)

Job Location

521 Industrial Park Road, Piney Flats, Tennessee

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular