POSITION TITLE: Plant Manager
REPORTS TO: VP of Operations
DEPARTMENT:Position Summary:The Plant Manager serves as the operational bridge between executive leadership and the production floor, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives and daily execution. This role is responsible for the full performance of the plant, including production, shipping, maintenance, and tool room operations.
This leader drives accountability through the Operations Manager and functional leaders, establishing structure, consistency, and discipline across all areas of the plant. The Plant Manager is expected to build a high-performance environment focused on safety, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement while maintaining a strong presence on the floor.
Responsibilities:Plant Leadership & Execution
- Own overall plant performance, including safety, quality, delivery, and cost
- Translate company and VP-level strategy into clear, executable direction for the floor
- Establish daily operating rhythms (tier meetings, accountability structures, KPI tracking)
- Maintain a consistent presence on the production floor to drive visibility and engagement
Team Leadership & Accountability
- Lead, coach, and develop the Operations Manager and functional leaders
- Hold leaders accountable for performance, behavior, and results
- Build leadership capability across departments to strengthen bench strength
- Ensure alignment and collaboration across EPG, MTD, shipping, maintenance, and tool room
Operational Oversight
- Oversee production flow, scheduling execution, and resource allocation
- Remove bottlenecks and resolve cross-functional disruptions quickly
- Ensure equipment uptime through coordination with maintenance
- Oversee shipping operations to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery
Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and process improvement initiatives across the plant
- Use production data and KPIs to identify inefficiencies and implement corrective actions
- Standardize processes across departments to improve consistency and scalability
- Promote a culture of ownership, problem-solving, and disciplined execution
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all operations are executed in compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements
- Reinforce a culture where safety is non-negotiable
- Partner with safety leadership to proactively address risks
Cross-Functional Alignment
- Partner with engineering, quality, supply chain, and sales to ensure customer requirements are met
- Communicate plant performance, risks, and needs clearly to VP of Operations
- Act as the escalation point for operational issues before they reach executive level
People & Culture
- Foster a performance-driven culture grounded in accountability and respect
- Address employee relations issues in partnership with HR
- Ensure consistent application of policies, expectations, and discipline across departments
Performance Metrics- On-time delivery performance
- Production throughput and efficiency
- Quality performance and defect rates
- Equipment uptime and downtime reduction
- Safety performance and incident rates
- Leadership effectiveness and team stability
- Continuous improvement outcomes
Skills and Qualifications:- Minimum 7-10 years of manufacturing leadership experience, with multi-department oversight
- Proven experience leading through other leaders (not just direct floor supervision)
- Strong understanding of machining, assembly, and production environments
- Experience managing maintenance, shipping, and support functions preferred
- Demonstrated ability to drive accountability and improve performance in a plant setting
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Proficiency in ERP systems and production data analysis
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent experience preferred
Other Details:- Work Environment: Primarily based on the manufacturing floor with regular exposure to industrial equipment, noise, moving machinery, and varying temperatures. This role requires consistent visibility and engagement across all operational areas including production, shipping, tool room, and maintenance.
- Physical Demands: Active leadership role requiring frequent standing, walking the floor, and navigating production areas. May involve occasional bending, reaching, and lifting of materials or equipment (up to 25-50 pounds as needed).
- Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility to support extended hours, early mornings, or occasional weekends based on production demands and operational needs.
- Travel: Minimal travel may be required for training, vendor visits, or inter-facility coordination.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
