Imperial is seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Manager to lead all operations at our Bourbon, MO facility. This role is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the facility, including full Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility. The Plant Manager leads safety, quality, production, delivery, cost, employee engagement, and continuous improvement while ensuring the plant meets customer expectations and business objectives.
The Bourbon facility is a larger and increasingly complex manufacturing operation currently supporting both hat embroidery and apparel screen printing. With planned growth in the facility, the Plant Manager will be responsible for building the people, processes, capacity, equipment, and organizational capability needed to support that growth while maintaining strong performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer service.
The Plant Manager develops a high-performing leadership team, establishes accountability, and drives operational excellence while leading strategic initiatives focused on growth, efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
What You'll Be Doing- Lead the plant's safety culture, including behavior-based safety initiatives, employee involvement, and compliance with established safety requirements.
- Promote operator ownership of quality and process discipline, ensuring products and processes consistently meet customer specifications and internal standards.
- Own the plant's P&L and deliver annual financial targets.
- Manage labor, overtime, scrap, inventory, and operating expenses while balancing financial performance with customer and operational requirements.
- Lead all manufacturing operations within the facility, including hat embroidery, apparel screen printing, and additional manufacturing operations as business and growth plans evolve
- Actively participate in the SIOP process and provide operational input on capacity, workforce, equipment, and production requirements; translate SIOP plans into actionable plant strategies that support current demand and future business growth needs.
- Drive effective utilization of labor and equipment and monitor key operating metrics to quickly address performance gaps.
- Establish and sustain Daily Management Systems (DMS) that provide visibility, accountability, and rapid problem resolution.
- Utilize Leader Standard Work, visual management, Gemba walks, 5S, standard work, and problem solving to drive consistent execution.
- Establish and sustain Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) as the plant's equipment reliability model, supported by effective Preventive Maintenance (PM) and operator care programs.
- Lead or support the implementation of new equipment, processes, technologies, and organizational changes required to support current and future growth.
- Benchmark best practices across facilities and industries and implement improvements that strengthen operational performance.
- Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team with clear roles, accountability, and performance expectations.
- Develop employee capability through training, coaching, recognition, and career development opportunities.
- Promote employee engagement and ownership at all levels and lead effectively through organizational change and evolving business priorities.
What We Need- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
- 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
- Experience managing plant-level financial performance and budgets.
- Experience leading a manufacturing operation with multiple processes, departments, or production technologies.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to lead through change, scale operations, and drive performance improvement.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead and motivate a diverse workforce.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills with the ability to adapt to changing workloads, priorities, and business needs.
- Self-motivated and self-directed with a forward-thinking approach to plant operations.
- Strong computer skills; proficiency with production management and reporting systems.
Physical Requirements- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time while working at a computer or workstation
- Ability to use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and keyboards
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via electronic communication
- Occasional ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- Ability to move throughout the facility, including walking, bending, and reaching as needed
- Visual acuity sufficient to read screens, documents, and reports
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.Benefits- 401(k) with company match
- Health care (medical, dental, vision)
- Employee Assistance Program
- PTO (vacation, personal days, and 9 company holidays)
- Opportunities for continuing education and professional growth
- Employee product discounts
- Free hats
