Plant Manager

Plant Manager – Labels & Packaging

A well-established and growing label and packaging manufacturer in the greater Seattle area is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the overall performance of a high-quality production operation.

This is a hands-on leadership position with responsibility for production, safety, quality, people development, continuous improvement, financial performance, and customer service. The right person will understand how to run a manufacturing facility while building a strong culture of accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.

Candidates with leadership experience in pressure-sensitive labels, printing, flexible packaging, converting, or closely related manufacturing environments are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

• Lead day-to-day plant operations with responsibility for safety, quality, production, maintenance, service, and financial performance.
• Provide leadership and direction to the plant management and production teams.
• Establish clear expectations and measurable performance standards across the operation.
• Manage plant KPIs including safety, quality, waste, productivity, efficiency, downtime, labor, on-time delivery, and customer service.
• Drive improvements in throughput, scheduling, equipment utilization, waste reduction, and overall plant efficiency.
• Own plant budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial performance.
• Work closely with production leadership to ensure staffing and production schedules support customer requirements.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership and production team.
• Participate in hiring, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Establish a proactive culture around workplace safety, housekeeping, and operational discipline.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions involving quality, production, maintenance, or customer issues.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement initiatives that support the plant's short- and long-term objectives.
• Identify capital equipment requirements and participate in capital expenditure planning.
• Partner with sales/commercial leadership to support key customers and identify opportunities for facility growth.
• Work cross-functionally with quality, maintenance, customer service, sales, finance, HR, and other manufacturing locations.
• Lead operational change effectively while maintaining employee engagement and customer service.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive operations or manufacturing management experience.
• Previous responsibility for production, safety, quality, reliability, people, and financial performance.
• Proven experience leading managers, supervisors, and production employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of plant-level budgeting, financial management, labor utilization, and cost control.
• Demonstrated ability to improve manufacturing KPIs and operational performance.
• Experience developing teams and holding leaders accountable for measurable results.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving manufacturing environment where priorities and customer requirements can change quickly.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively from the production floor through senior leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline preferred.

Preferred Background

• Label, printing, packaging, or converting industry experience.
• Pressure-sensitive label manufacturing experience is highly desirable.
• Experience leading continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and managing capital expenditure plans.
• Track record of improving safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Experience supporting growth within an established manufacturing operation.
• Previous experience working closely with sales and key customer accounts.
• Master's degree or advanced business/operations education is a plus.

Equipment / Technical Experience

Ideal candidates will have exposure to some combination of:

• Pressure-sensitive label printing and converting
• Flexographic printing
• Digital label printing
• Finishing and converting equipment
• Production scheduling and capacity planning
• Preventive maintenance and equipment reliability programs
• Quality systems and print-quality standards
• Waste, spoilage, downtime, and productivity measurement
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• ERP/MIS and manufacturing reporting systems
• Capital equipment evaluation and implementation

Direct experience with every technology listed above is not required, but candidates should have a strong understanding of production-driven manufacturing operations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of $135,000–$180,000, depending on experience
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Long-term disability and supplemental insurance options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
• Performance-based salary growth
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Long-term advancement opportunities within a larger organization
• Relocation assistance
• Annual incentive/bonus opportunity

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established label and packaging manufacturing operation while having the resources and backing of a larger organization. The position offers meaningful responsibility for the plant's people, performance, financial results, continuous improvement, and future growth.

For an experienced printing or packaging leader who enjoys being close to the operation and wants the ability to make a measurable impact, this position offers both autonomy and long-term career potential.

Next Step

This search is being conducted confidentially. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply or reach out directly for a private conversation regarding the operation, leadership structure, equipment, and expectations.

All inquiries will be handled with discretion.