Plant Manager - Barker Boatworks

Job Description

Job Description

Plant Manager – Roles and Responsibilities  

Barker Boatworks  

Reports to: Ownership   |   Direct reports: Line leads and shop technicians (lamination, assembly, rigging, finishing)  

Position Summary  

The Plant Manager owns day-to-day production of the shop — manufacturing finished boats on time, on budget, and to Barker’s fit-and-finish standard. 

Operations  

• Own the production and prototype schedule across all build stages – lamination/layup, assembly, rigging, and finishing – to hit build starts and delivery targets
• Balance labor and capacity to prevent bottlenecks and keep boats flowing between stages 
• Track work-in-process and build-stage progress; report status and delivery dates weekly 
• Coordinate with sales on custom build specs, options, and change orders so the floor builds to the correct configuration 
• Facilitate troubleshooting and issue mitigation 
• Be the liaison between the production line and outside technical support (Garmin, Mercury, etc.)

Quality  

• Own build-quality standards across lamination, assembly, finishing, rigging, and final QC 
• Run stage-gate inspections before a boat advances to the next station; catch defects early 
• Uphold the fit-and-finish standard consistent with Barker’s premium positioning 
• Work with Service and Warranty to drive root-cause analysis and corrective action to prevent repeat issues 

Facilities  

• Facilitate any repairs and maintenance of equipment (molds, compressors, doors, forklifts, spray rigs, etc) 
• Run a preventive-maintenance schedule and coordinate outside contractors and vendors 
• Keep the shop organized and flowing (5S); manage layout, cleanliness, and workspace safety 

Culture / Leadership  

• Preserve and strengthen the Barker Boatworks culture by leading with integrity, accountability, respect, clear communication, and pride in craftsmanship while holding every employee accountable to the company's standards and expectations. 
• Clear obstacles for the line leads — give them room to make decisions, own their areas, and keep the bigger picture in view. 
• Work with each lead to define their top priorities and hold them accountable to hitting them. 
• Hire, train, and develop manufacturing employees 
• Set clear performance expectations and hold regular reviews and feedback 

Materials & Cost  

• Control material cost, reduce scrap and rework, and support build-cost tracking against targets 

Key Metrics (KPIs)  

• On-time delivery/units completed vs. schedule 
• Build hours per boat and labor efficiency 
• Warranty and rework rate 
• Material cost and scrap rate per boat 
• Safety incidents / recordables