Position Summary:The Plant Manager is the site leader responsible for the overall performance, safety, and profitability of the manufacturing facility and warehouse. This role includes strategic oversight with significant hands-on involvement, ensuring efficient execution while driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, maintenance, and cost performance. The Plant Manager is accountable for plant performance and is expected to maintain a strong floor presence across all shifts.
Key Outcomes / Measures of Success:- Safety leadership: zero-incident culture supported by safety observations, audit readiness, and timely closeout of corrective actions.
- Production and warehouse schedule attainment across all shifts; consistent execution to field/customer requirements.
- Throughput/OEE and labor efficiency performance; rapid removal of constraints and recovery actions when performance is off plan.
- Quality performance: scrap/rework reduction, effective containment, and sustained corrective/preventative actions.
- Maintenance reliability: preventative maintenance compliance and reduced unplanned downtime through prioritization and follow-through.
- Cost performance: overtime control, cost per unit visibility, and adherence to operating budgets (labor, maintenance, supplies, scrap).
- People results: strong supervisor capability, stable staffing, engaged culture, and consistent performance management.
- Communication and cadence: clear weekly/monthly dashboards, aligned priorities, and effective shift transitions and escalation.
ResponsibilitiesSite Leadership & Plant Performance:- Serve as site leader accountable for overall plant performance, safety, quality, delivery, and cost results.
- Maintain a strong floor presence across all shifts; ensure consistent standards and accountability day-to-day.
- Drive a culture of teamwork, accountability, and respect across the facility.
Decision Rights / Authority (within company guidelines):- Set daily/weekly production priorities and adjust schedules within capacity to meet customer/field requirements.
- Direct staffing plans and coverage; approve and/or recommend overtime in alignment with plant guidelines and budgets.
- Review and approve timekeeping/timecards for plant operations (as applicable); ensure timely correction of exceptions.
- Exercise stop-work authority for unsafe conditions; remove employees/equipment from service when safety is at risk.
- Prioritize maintenance and reliability work; authorize repairs and spend within approved budget/authority limits.
- Quarantine/contain nonconforming product and coordinate disposition decisions with Quality/plant leadership.
- Initiate and document coaching and corrective action; partner with HR/Plant leadership for formal action and termination decisions.
Production, Warehouse & Scheduling:- Partner with Production Inventory Control Manager to ensure inventory levels are in place and schedules are correct to meet the business needs.
- Manage manufacturing and warehouse operations across all shifts to deliver production schedules, output targets, and field/customer requirements.
- Track daily/weekly KPIs (e.g., throughput/OEE, scrap/rework, on-time delivery, labor efficiency) and implement action plans to close gaps.
- Align with Production Inventory Control manager in weekly production planning; adjust schedules and resources to optimize throughput and minimize overtime.
- Establish expectations for effective shift transitions and verify handoffs are completed and consistent across shifts.
- Remove production constraints by coordinating with Superintendent/Supervisors on equipment issues, staffing gaps, and material flow in real time.
Safety & Compliance:- Lead by example to drive a zero-incident safety culture; hold all employees accountable to safety rules and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, state/local regulations, and company safety policies.
- Drive safety audits, incident investigations, and corrective/preventative action follow-ups.
People Leadership & Performance Management:- Provide direct leadership and coaching to the shift Supervisors; set expectations and hold leaders accountable for shift results.
- Lead hiring, training, and performance management for facility staff; ensure effective onboarding and role readiness.
- Manage staffing levels, overtime, and coverage for absences; ensure consistent attendance expectations and fair application of standards.
Quality & Continuous Improvement:- Ensure product meets field technician and customer quality specifications and communication requirements.
- Drive root-cause investigation and corrective/preventative actions for quality issues and field complaints.
- Support implementation of lean manufacturing systems/tools and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintenance & Reliability:- Ensure preventative maintenance programs are followed; partner with Maintenance to reduce unplanned downtime.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and tour-ready facility at all times (5S/housekeeping).
Cost & Financial Performance:- Manage operating budgets (labor, maintenance, supplies, scrap) and monitor cost per unit and variances.
- Identify and execute cost savings initiatives, including controlling overtime spending.
Communication & Reporting:- Prepare and present weekly/monthly performance dashboards to senior leadership.
- Communicate goals, policy changes, and progress updates to all facility employees.
Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- 8-12 years of progressive manufacturing experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years in a management role.
- Proven track record leading multi-shift operations in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong working knowledge of lean principles and safety management systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop supervisors and hourly teams.
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills; ability to lead through change.
Travel RequirementLimited travel may be required.
Work EnvironmentWork is performed primarily in a manufacturing/warehouse environment with frequent floor presence across multiple shifts; may include indoor and outdoor production areas.
Physical DemandsTaskActivity LevelStandingFrequently
WalkingFrequently
SittingOccasionally
Handling/GrippingOccasionally
Reaching OutwardOccasionally
Reaching above ShoulderRarely
ClimbingRarely
CrawlingRarely
Squatting or KneelingFrequently
BendingOccasionally
Lifting/CarryingMust be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs. using safe lifting techniques.
Pushing/Pulling:Rarely
PPE Requirement:Frequently
Work HoursPosition is full-time and supports multi-shift operations. Off-shift, weekend, and holiday availability may be required to support production needs.
