Description
WHAT THIS ROLE WILL BE DOING:
Provide direction and leadership to ensure manufacturing operating objectives are accomplished in accordance with company financial targets and customer commitments. The individual in this position is expected to continually improve safety, quality, plant operations, productivity, machine utilization, labor productivity, cost, lead time, schedule attainment, and customer satisfaction across Diamond Kote manufacturing facility in Schofield, WI. This role connects strategic business priorities with daily operating execution and leads through plant and functional leaders to establish consistent standards, accountability, and continuous improvement across the network.
Duties to include (not limited to):
• Provide direct leadership, supervision, coaching, and development of Production Manager, Production Supervisors, and other personnel related to manufacturing operations.
• Lead daily, monthly, and annual production planning, execution, monitoring, and communication across Diamond Kote manufacturing location.
• Own and improve key operating metrics including safety, quality, OEE, yield, scrap, throughput, labor productivity, equipment utilization, lead time, schedule attainment, on-time delivery, and cost performance.
• Work with business unit and plant operations teams to manage lead time, capacity, and customer service to targeted levels.
• Develop and own current-state and future-state value stream maps and implementation plans.
• Standardize operating processes, work instructions, KPI definitions, review routines, and best practices across manufacturing locations.
• Work with Materials and Supply Chain teams to define procedures that ensure proper inventory management, material availability, and sourcing strategies.
• Drive a culture of safety and ensure adherence to all safety protocols, procedures, housekeeping policies, and guidelines.
• Understand and comply with applicable governmental, OSHA, EPA, state, environmental, and company requirements.
• Ensure consistent product quality and adherence to finishing processes, specifications, and warranty standards across all locations.
• Drive continuous improvement in productivity and efficiency through employee involvement, manpower planning, Lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, root-cause problem solving, materials planning, and synchronized manufacturing.
• Lead cross-plant benchmarking to identify performance gaps, transfer best practices, and sustain improvements.
• Optimize customer service through schedule attainment, lead-time management, production reliability, and on-time shipping metrics.
• Manage labor by providing direction specific to staffing, overtime, workforce flexibility, retention, and sales and operations plans.
• Participate in and lead project teams focused on improving manufacturing operations, quality, capacity, material flow, and customer service.
• Monitor production, sales, labor, and cost activity to identify variances to plan or budget and lead corrective actions and revised plans.
• Partner with Finance to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, P&L drivers, cost controls, resource allocation, and plant-level financial performance.
• Understand, communicate, and improve business unit financial results.
• Develop, communicate, and deliver key performance indicators and consistent daily, weekly, and monthly operating reviews.
• Represent manufacturing with outside visitors such as company tours, applicants, customers, vendors, suppliers, and service providers as needed.
• Conduct regular site visits to coach plant leadership teams, review operating conditions, verify standards, and remove barriers to performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, integrity, service, and continuous improvement.
A WSC Plant Manager will possess and/or demonstrate the ability to:
• Promote the company's mission, values, and safety-first culture
• Delegate responsibility and lead effectively through Production Manager and functional leaders
• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
• Visualize long-term business goals and make daily operating adjustments to achieve those goals
• Develop leaders, build effective teams, and create a culture of continuous improvement
• Interpret and understand budgets, forecasts, P&L statements, operating variances, and other financial reporting
• Design, track, communicate, and use key performance indicators to drive operational improvement
• Solve complex problems using data, statistical tools, structured analysis, and practical shop-floor observation
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders and align shared priorities
• Manage multiple demands, prioritize effectively, work independently, and adapt quickly to change
• Utilize ERP, production, inventory, business intelligence, and related operating systems
• Use Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel capabilities
Education / Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience preferred
• Building products, wood products, coatings or finishing, process manufacturing, or a related environment strongly preferred
• Proven record of improving safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost performance
• Experience managing operating budgets, plant financial performance,
• Experience with continuous improvement projects required; Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving experience required
• Ability to interact effectively at all levels of the company
Reports to: Director of Operations DK
Conclusion:
A WSC Plant Manager will exemplify the high standards associated with WSC and Diamond Kote. This leader will demonstrate safety, service, innovation, integrity, accountability, flexibility, and a willingness to implement change for the betterment of our employees, customers, and business.
