Plant Production Manager

Client Overview: Our client is a global industrial manufacturer with operations in North America. The company is committed to technical excellence, operational reliability, and continuous improvement. To support a highly automated U.S. production facility, they are seeking a senior level Plant Production Manager to strengthen support within the plant. Job title: Plant Production Manager (Senior Manager) Mission: The Plant Production Manager, will play a pivotal leadership role—owning the performance, people, and continuous improvement of a key product unit. This is an opportunity to shape operations, develop high-performing teams, and drive world-class manufacturing standards in a globally recognized organization. Key Responsibilities: Own end-to-end production performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost Ensure products are manufactured to the highest quality standards and delivered on time Drive efficiency by optimizing labor, materials, energy, and equipment utilization Monitor and improve line performance, waste reduction, and overall productivity Lead, coach, and develop Shift Supervisors and production teams to achieve operational excellence Build a high-performance culture through engagement, accountability, and continuous feedback Identify training and development opportunities to strengthen team capability Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives across production lines Identify opportunities to increase capacity, reduce waste, and improve processes Partner cross-functionally (Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain) to solve problems and drive innovation Support new projects and ensure successful execution of operational improvements Manage and deliver against production, maintenance, and cost budgets Contribute to investment planning and capital improvement initiatives Partner in energy and sustainability programs to reduce environmental impact Ensure responsible use of resources and alignment with business targets Champion a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance with health & safety standards Enforce GMP and food safety requirements across all production activities Proactively identify risks and implement corrective actions Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field 4–7 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment Proven ability to lead teams, drive engagement, and develop talent Strong business acumen across operations, cost management, and resource planning Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex, and multicultural environment Location: Franklin Park, IL Compensation target: $148,000–$198,000 base salary, plus bonus. Compensation is commensurate with experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role Other information: Candidate must show proof of US citizenship/visa/alien registration. No sponsorship will be offered for this role.