Plant Manager

Company Overview Come join our well-established company conveniently located near the 5 and 78 freeways in Oceanside, CA, that offers a fun, casual dress work environment, excellent health, dental and vision insurance, a 401k with company match. American Innotek is a thriving manufacturing organization committed to providing outstanding customer service with 100% on time delivery and loyal customers. Position Summary We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Manager to lead daily operations at our manufacturing facility. This role is ideal for a hands‑on, results‑driven leader with a passion for operational excellence, team development, and continuous improvement. You’ll be responsible for managing all aspects of plant performance—including production, safety, quality, engineering, and cost control—while driving a culture of accountability, performance, and collaboration. Key Responsibilities Direct all plant operations, aligning with company goals to ensure productivity, quality, and efficiency. Foster a culture of ownership, motivation, and high performance across all departments. Collaborate with executive leadership to develop strategic goals and execute long‑term operational plans. Lead and mentor supervisors and cross‑functional teams to meet production goals, maintain morale, and uphold a safe working environment. Operations Management Oversee daily production activities, ensuring all processes run efficiently and on schedule. Analyze KPIs and production data to identify trends, drive performance, and implement process improvements. Lead plant‑wide initiatives focused on quality improvement, cost reduction, and lean manufacturing. Coordinate closely with purchasing, engineering, and distribution teams to support seamless operations. Engineering and Automation We are a company who have designed and built custom manufacturing machines. Support and guide the production and engineering efforts to design custom machines. Projects support the Manufacturing Engineer, who is also the safety officer, and responsible for machine maintenance and facilities. Understand and use CAD systems (SolidWorks experience preferred). Have sufficient knowledge to support Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). Drive continuous process improvement and lean manufacturing. Understand and support the mechanics, pneumatics, and electronics required to optimize production. Have experience managing engineers to complete automation. Quality & Compliance Implement and monitor quality control procedures to meet customer specifications and regulatory standards. Support and manage document control including generation of ECOs, customer complaints and corrective action requests. Ensure compliance with OSHA and other safety standards by developing robust safety programs, conducting audits, and driving training initiatives. Develop and manage plant budgets, focusing on cost containment and resource optimization. Partner with accounting on forecasting, budget planning, and financial performance tracking. Identify and implement efficiency opportunities to improve profitability and resource utilization. Facility & Engineering Oversight Lead plant engineering initiatives, maintenance, and facilities management to ensure optimal equipment performance and infrastructure reliability. Daily & Monthly Duties Maintain clear visibility into daily plant performance through operational dashboards and reporting. Monitor and adjust production schedules as needed to meet demand and reduce bottlenecks. Conduct performance reviews, train team members, and provide regular coaching to drive development. Build strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners to support operational success. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, or related field. 5‑7 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment. Strong knowledge of operations functions: production, QA/QC, purchasing, maintenance, and safety. Proven ability to build high‑performing teams and manage complex manufacturing processes. Demonstrated success in driving continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and cost reduction strategies . Familiarity with OSHA and regulatory compliance . Preferred Qualifications Experience in budget planning, forecasting, and financial analysis. Experience in ERP systems and Microsoft Dynamics preferred. Strong technical aptitude with hands‑on experience in quality and inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, tape measures). Bi‑lingual in Spanish preferred . Key Skills Leadership & Team Development Strategic Thinking & Execution Problem Solving & Decision Making Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement Communication & Cross‑Functional Collaboration Physical Requirements Ability to stand for long hours. Lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds. Pushing, twisting, or pulling. Must be physically capable of wearing a respirator. Pay Range $115k - $125k Closing If you’re a strong leader with a hands‑on approach and a passion for operational excellence, we’d love to hear from you. Seniority level Director Employment type Full‑time Job function Management and Manufacturing Industries Plastics Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr