Plant Manager - Manufacturing

Plant ManagerThe Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of a custom hydraulic cylinder manufacturing facility. This role ensures production efficiency, product quality, safety compliance, and on-time delivery while driving continuous improvement initiatives. The Plant Manager will lead cross-functional teams to support the production of hydraulic jacks, braking systems, valves, steering cylinders, and precision pistons used across automotive, agricultural, construction, and industrial equipment sectors.Key ResponsibilitiesOperations & Production ManagementLead all plant operations including machining, assembly, welding, testing, and finishing of hydraulic componentsEnsure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are consistently metOptimize workflow, capacity planning, and resource allocation to maximize efficiencyMonitor KPIs (OEE, scrap rates, downtime, throughput) and implement corrective actionsLeadership & Team DevelopmentDirect, coach, and develop supervisors and department leads across production, maintenance, and qualityFoster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvementPartner with HR on hiring, training, and performance managementQuality & Continuous ImprovementMaintain and enforce quality standards aligned with automotive and industrial manufacturing requirementsDrive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiativesLead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)Safety & ComplianceEnsure compliance with OSHA and all regulatory safety standardsPromote a zero-incident safety culture through training and proactive risk managementOversee environmental and regulatory complianceFinancial & Strategic OversightManage plant budget, cost controls, and capital expendituresIdentify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or deliveryCollaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and growth initiativesSupply Chain & Customer AlignmentWork closely with procurement, engineering, and sales to align production with customer demandsEnsure timely delivery of custom-engineered hydraulic cylinders and componentsSupport customer audits and technical discussions as neededQualificationsEducation & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field preferred7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 3+ years in a plant or operations management roleExperience in hydraulic systems, automotive components, or heavy equipment manufacturing strongly preferredSkills & CompetenciesStrong knowledge of machining, fabrication, and hydraulic component assemblyProven leadership in Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement environmentsSolid understanding of quality systems (ISO, TS/IATF standards a plus)Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and cost controlsExcellent problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skillsKey Success FactorsAbility to drive operational excellence in a custom, engineered-to-order environmentStrong leadership presence with a hands-on management styleFocus on safety, quality, and customer satisfactionContinuous improvement mindset with measurable resultsWork EnvironmentManufacturing plant setting with exposure to machinery, noise, and production activityRegular time spent on the production floor interacting with teams and processesEmail resume View email address on click.appcast.io View phone number on click.appcast.io