Plant Manager

Direct reports: Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Warehouse/Shipping leaders About the Company Our client is a manufacturer in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts that produces high-quality, value-added, hand-crafted products. They have roughly 400 employees in the US and a workforce that spans down the East Coast, but the majority of the workforce is in MA. The Opportunity The Plant Manager owns the day-to-day performance of the company's Massachusetts production facility, with full accountability for safety, quality, output, cost, and people. This is a hands-on, on-the-floor leadership role in a fast-paced, high-mix, labor-intensive operation. The right leader will bring structure and discipline to the plant while keeping the craftsmanship and customer responsiveness that set the business apart. You will partner closely with the executive team, Quality, Continuous Improvement, Sales, and Supply Chain, and you will play a visible role in executing the value creation plan. Key Responsibilities Safety and Operations Lead a strong safety culture with clear accountability, training, and incident prevention; drive OSHA compliance and reduce recordables Ensure full compliance with regulations and standards Maintain control, sanitation, and traceability standards across all lines Operations and Performance Deliver daily, weekly, and monthly production plans that meet customer service, on-time-in-full, and quality targets Own plant KPIs, including yield, labor productivity, throughput, OEE, scrap/giveaway, and cost. Manage a high-SKU, customized product mix with frequent changeovers and short lead times Partner with Supply Chain and Sales on capacity planning, scheduling, and new product launches Cost and Financial Management Build and manage the plant operating budget and labor model; identify and deliver cost savings Recommend and execute capital projects, including automation and equipment that reduce labor dependency Embed lean manufacturing tools (5S, standard work, root cause analysis, visual management, tiered daily huddles) in partnership with the Continuous Improvement function Use data to identify losses and drive sustainable improvements in yield and efficiency People and Culture Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of supervisors and leads across multiple shifts Attract, train, and retain a diverse hourly workforce; build bench strength and succession Communicate clearly and visibly on the floor; set a tone of respect, ownership, and teamwork Maintenance and Facility Oversee preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and facility upkeep to minimize downtime Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience 8+ years of manufacturing experience, including 3+ years as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or Production Manager with full P&L or plant-level accountability Proven track record of improving safety, yield, labor productivity, and cost in a high-mix, labor-intensive environment Hands-on lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience Ability to work on-site north of Boston, MA Preferred Experience in a high-growth company Experience introducing automation into a manual or semi-automated operation Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt; certification Bilingual English/Spanish or experience leading a multilingual workforce Leadership Profile and First-Year Success What we're looking for in the leader Floor-first: visible, approachable, and present on every shift Accountable and data-driven: sets clear expectations and measures results A builder of people who develops supervisors into leaders Calm and decisive in a fast-moving, customer-driven environment Comfortable with the pace and expectations of PE ownership What success looks like in the first 12 months Measurable improvement in safety and performance A consistent daily management system with KPI boards and tiered huddles in place Documented gains in yield, labor productivity, and on-time delivery A stable, engaged supervisory team with reduced hourly turnover A prioritized capital and automation roadmap aligned with leadership #J-18808-Ljbffr Hirenexus