Plant Manager (Charlotte)

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational performance, and profitability of an anodizing and metal finishing facility in Charlotte, Michigan. This position has full profit and loss (P&L) accountability and oversees all manufacturing, quality, maintenance, environmental health and safety, materials management, accounting, human resources, and administrative functions.

The Plant Manager is responsible for achieving financial, operational, quality, and customer service objectives while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. This role partners closely with leadership to develop and execute strategies that drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, employee engagement, and sustainable growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Plant Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all plant operations and administrative functions.
• Develop and execute annual business plans aligned with company goals and objectives.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures across all departments.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Financial Management and P&L Responsibility

• Maintain full responsibility for plant profitability, including revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, cash flow, and EBITDA performance.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasts, labor plans, and capital expenditure budgets.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance to identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvements, and margin enhancement.
• Review and approve expenditures in accordance with company policies and budget requirements.
• Manage direct labor, overtime, inventory, chemical usage, maintenance expenses, utilities, and scrap costs.
• Oversee pricing assumptions, manufacturing cost controls, and inventory valuation in partnership with finance leadership.
• Review and analyze financial statements, key operational metrics, and monthly performance reports.
• Lead capital investment planning and ensure projects deliver expected returns.

Operations Management

• Direct all manufacturing operations, including anodizing, pretreatment, finishing, packaging, shipping, receiving, and warehouse activities.
• Ensure production schedules meet customer demand, quality standards, and delivery commitments.
• Optimize labor, equipment, materials, and facility resources to maximize efficiency and throughput.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions to achieve operational objectives.

Administrative and Office Leadership

• Oversee all office functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, human resources, payroll coordination, and general administration.
• Review accounts receivable aging reports and implement strategies to improve collections and cash flow.
• Oversee accounts payable processes, vendor relationships, payment approvals, and expense management.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing in coordination with finance and human resources personnel.
• Direct recruiting, employee relations, and policy administration activities.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, company policies, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Maintain effective internal controls and support internal and external audits.

Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety and environmental stewardship throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA, MIOSHA, EPA, and local regulatory requirements.
• Oversee chemical handling, wastewater treatment, hazardous material management, and waste disposal activities.
• Conduct safety audits, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.
• Maintain required permits, records, and regulatory reporting.

Quality Management

• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, internal quality standards, and applicable industry requirements.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions to reduce defects, rework, and customer complaints.
• Monitor quality metrics, including first-pass yield, scrap rates, and customer returns.
• Ensure effective process controls are maintained to deliver consistent product quality.

Maintenance and Asset Management

• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
• Prioritize maintenance activities and capital improvements based on operational requirements.
• Ensure plant infrastructure and equipment operate safely and efficiently.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for supervisors, office personnel, and plant employees.
• Build and maintain a high-performing, engaged workforce.
• Promote open communication, accountability, and collaboration across all functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Finance, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success with full plant P&L responsibility.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing finance, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and capital planning.
• Experience overseeing accounting, human resources, and administrative functions.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, MIOSHA, EPA, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with financial reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to chemicals, machinery, heat, humidity, noise, and required personal protective equipment.
• Frequent walking throughout the facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Availability to support multiple shifts and respond to operational issues outside of normal business hours as needed.