Plant Manager - Manufacturing

Job Description

The 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 Responsibilities

Operations & Production Management

• Lead all plant operations including machining, assembly, welding, testing, and finishing of hydraulic components
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are consistently met
• Optimize workflow, capacity planning, and resource allocation to maximize efficiency
• Monitor KPIs (OEE, scrap rates, downtime, throughput) and implement corrective actions

Leadership & Team Development

• Direct, coach, and develop supervisors and department leads across production, maintenance, and quality
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Partner with HR on hiring, training, and performance management

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and enforce quality standards aligned with automotive and industrial manufacturing requirements
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA and all regulatory safety standards
• Promote a zero-incident safety culture through training and proactive risk management
• Oversee environmental and regulatory compliance

Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Manage plant budget, cost controls, and capital expenditures
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or delivery
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives

Supply Chain & Customer Alignment

• Work closely with procurement, engineering, and sales to align production with customer demands
• Ensure timely delivery of custom-engineered hydraulic cylinders and components
• Support customer audits and technical discussions as needed

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field preferred
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 3+ years in a plant or operations management role
• Experience in hydraulic systems, automotive components, or heavy equipment manufacturing strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of machining, fabrication, and hydraulic component assembly
• Proven leadership in Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement environments
• Solid understanding of quality systems (ISO, TS/IATF standards a plus)
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and cost controls
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills

Key Success Factors

• Ability to drive operational excellence in a custom, engineered-to-order environment
• Strong leadership presence with a hands-on management style
• Focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction
• Continuous improvement mindset with measurable results

Work Environment

• Manufacturing plant setting with exposure to machinery, noise, and production activity
• Regular time spent on the production floor interacting with teams and processes

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All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.