Plant Manager

Plant ManagerPosition OverviewThe Plant Manager will lead and optimize all aspects of a manufacturing facility to consistently deliver safe, compliant, high-quality products on schedule and within budget. This role oversees production planning, manufacturing operations, continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen), maintenance and reliability programs (TPM, preventive maintenance, OEE), quality systems (ISO 9001, GMP, HACCP) and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA). The Plant Manager drives operational excellence through data-driven decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and development of frontline and supervisory talent.Key ResponsibilitiesLead day-to-day plant operations including production planning, scheduling, capacity planning and execution to meet customer demand and on-time delivery targets.Develop and implement manufacturing operations strategies using Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma and DMAIC methodologies to improve throughput, reduce waste and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).Drive continuous improvement initiatives using TPM, 5S, Kanban, Just-in-Time (JIT) principles and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to stabilize processes and improve quality and efficiency.Manage quality control and assurance programs in accordance with ISO 9001, GMP and HACCP standards; lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for non-conformances.Oversee maintenance and reliability activities, including preventive maintenance, CMMS utilization, equipment maintenance, equipment commissioning & start-up, and vendor coordination to minimize downtime.Ensure compliance with OSHA and Environmental/EPA regulations; implement safety programs, training and audits to maintain a safe workplace.Supervise and mentor plant leadership, supervisors and operations staff; recruit, train and retain talent while promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.Manage inventory, material handling and warehouse operations including forklift operations, Kanban systems, ERP/MRP and SAP integration to optimize inventory turns and reduce carrying costs.Coordinate process engineering, test & inspection, welding/fabrication and CNC/PLC/SCADA support for production reliability, troubleshooting and capital projects.Control departmental budgets, cost reduction projects, CAPEX planning and productivity metrics; report on KPIs such as OEE, yield, scrap, on-time delivery and cost per unit.QualificationsBachelors degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management or related field; advanced degree preferred.10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience with at least 5 years in a plant leadership or managerial role.Proven expertise in Production Planning, Manufacturing Operations, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred), Kaizen and Continuous Improvement.Hands-on experience with ISO 9001, GMP and HACCP quality systems and demonstrated success with quality control and SPC.Strong knowledge of OSHA requirements and Environmental/EPA compliance for manufacturing facilities.Demonstrated experience with TPM, OEE optimization, Preventive Maintenance programs and CMMS (e.g., SAP PM or equivalent).Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred), inventory management, Kanban, JIT and capacity planning.