The Plant Manager leads the Nokian Tyres Dayton manufacturing facility with full accountability for safety, people leadership, operational performance, and cost discipline. This role sets a visible safety-first culture, drives results through hands-on leadership and lean manufacturing practices, and builds a strong leadership team capable of delivering sustained performance in a dynamic operating environment.
Key Accountabilities- Safety Leadership
- Establishes and sustains a strong safety culture with visible leadership and personal accountability.
- Ensures full compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and company standards, making safety the primary consideration in all decisions and activities.
- Operational & Financial Performance
- Delivers plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
- Owns the plant operating budget and resource planning, demonstrating above-average numerical and analytical capability.
- Applies a hands-on leadership approach, using structured problem solving and data-driven analysis to identify root causes and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
- Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
- Champions lean philosophy and methodology across the plant, embedding continuous improvement into daily operations.
- Coaches and develops leaders and teams in lean tools and systematic problem solving to build internal capability and accountability.
- Drives employee involvement in improvement initiatives to eliminate waste, improve flow, and enhance operational stability.
- People Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness
- Builds, develops, and leads a strong plant leadership team aligned with Nokian Tyres' values.
- Demonstrates a fair, respectful, and result-oriented leadership style, balancing accountability with trust and engagement.
- Organizes and adapts the plant structure as needed to meet changing business demands.
- Motivates and engages employees effectively through periods of change, ensuring clarity, alignment, and sustained performance.
- Uphold Nokian Tyres' mission and values, and demonstrate supporting behaviors in day-to-day actions.
- Other duties as assigned.
Leadership Scope- Direct leadership responsibility for the plant leadership team.
- Overall site leadership responsibility for approximately 500 manufacturing employees.
- Acts as the senior site leader and key interface with regional and global manufacturing and support functions.
Experience & Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
- 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a high-volume production environment, including senior site or multi-department responsibility.
- Demonstrated expertise in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, with a proven ability to coach others.
- Strong financial, planning, and budgeting skills with high numerical and analytical competence.
- Proven ability to build and develop teams, lead through change, and consistently deliver results.
Compensation and Benefits- Competitive base salary
- Relocation assistance
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance day one
- 401(k) eligible after one month
- 401(k) matching 100% on first 6%
- Short-term incentive plan
- Long-term incentive plan
- Paid time off
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discounts
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Onsite fitness facility
- Wellness benefits
