Job SummaryPLA Family of Companies is seeking an experienced, hands-on Plant Manager to lead our newly relocated warehouse, reverse logistics, and pallet repair operation in Bridgeton, Missouri. This high-volume facility supports Walmart reverse-logistics operations, including inbound pallet and reusable plastic container (RPC) returns, sorting, outbound shipping, CHEP pallet repair, and inventory storage.
The Plant Manager will oversee approximately 54 employees across production, forklift and yard operations, shipping, maintenance, supervision, and administration. We are seeking a high-energy, results-driven leader who is visible on the production floor, builds accountability, develops strong teams, and drives consistent execution across all aspects of the operation.
Position Details- Location: 12949 Enterprise Way, Suite 100, Bridgeton, MO 63044
- Shift: Full-Time | Schedule based on operational needs
About This RoleThis position is a hands-on, on-site leadership role requiring an experienced operations professional who can take full ownership of a high-volume reverse-logistics warehouse and pallet repair facility. The Plant Manager serves as the primary point of accountability for safety, production, quality, inventory accuracy, financial performance, customer satisfaction, and employee development.
The ideal candidate is a proven leader who can bring structure, accountability, and operational discipline to a growing facility. Success in this role requires strong production planning, effective labor management, continuous improvement, cost control, and the ability to develop supervisors and hourly employees into a high-performing team.
The Plant Manager must be comfortable spending significant time on the production floor, identifying operational challenges, resolving issues, and driving measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety, and profitability.
Compensation & Bonus- Base Salary: $115,000-$120,000 annually, depending on experience.
- Annual Bonus: Eligible for a performance-based annual bonus of up to 15% of base salary.
Facility Profile:- Operation Type: Walmart Reverse Logistics, Warehouse Operations & Pallet Repair
- Facility Size: Approximately 89,000 square feet, with a contracted expansion to approximately 116,000 square feet.
- Workforce: Approximately 54 employees across multiple operational functions.
- Primary Functions: Pallet and RPC Returns, Sorting, CHEP Pallet Repair, Storage, Inventory Management, Shipping & Receiving.
- Operational Focus: Safety, Productivity, Quality, Labor Management, Cost Control, Customer Service, and Continuous Improvement.
Here's What We Offer- Daily Pay Option - Access your earnings before payday.
- PTO (Paid Time Off).
- Full Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - 3 medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield with low weekly premiums starting at $28.75.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) - Company contribution up to $750 annually with tax-advantaged savings.
- 401(k) retirement plan featuring up to a 4% employer match, eligibility the first of the month after 90 days, and access to a Financial Wellness Consultant.
- Flexible Benefits - Multiple plan options to fit your needs and budget.
- Prescription Drug Coverage - Low copays starting at $10 for generic medications.
- FREE Life Insurance & AD&D - Basic coverage provided at no cost upon employment.
- Vision Benefits - $10 eye exams and $150 frame allowance through Superior Vision by MetLife starting at $1.46 per week.
- Dental Coverage - 100% preventive care coverage with MetLife plans starting at $5.76 per week.
- Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD) - Income replacement up to 60% of weekly covered earnings for a non-work-related injury or illness.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free and confidential support for work stress, grief, legal/financial issues, and more.
- Additional Voluntary Benefits - MetLife Legal and Identity Theft Services and Pet Insurance with ASPCA.
- LifeMart Employee Discounts (through ADP) on everyday purchases.
- Dell Employee Purchase Program (EPP) discounts available for personal use.
Essential Functions- Lead and manage all daily operations of a high-volume warehouse, reverse-logistics, and pallet repair facility, ensuring performance expectations are consistently achieved for safety, productivity, quality, cost, and customer service.
- Oversee inbound pallet and reusable plastic container (RPC) returns, sorting operations, CHEP pallet repair, inventory storage, shipping, receiving, and outbound logistics.
- Provide hands-on leadership and maintain a strong presence on the production floor to ensure operational standards, employee accountability, and consistent execution.
- Direct, coach, and develop supervisors, team leaders, production employees, forklift operators, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff to build a high-performing team.
- Establish clear performance expectations, production goals, accountability measures, and consistent operating procedures across all departments.
- Develop and manage daily production schedules, staffing plans, labor allocation, and workflow to maximize operational efficiency and meet customer requirements.
- Monitor pallet repair production, sorting accuracy, inventory movement, shipping performance, and material handling activities to ensure quality and productivity targets are achieved.
- Oversee facility financial performance, including P&L or cost center management, labor expenses, operating budgets, cost control, and profitability.
- Analyze operational performance indicators, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve labor efficiency.
- Ensure proper inventory management, accurate reporting, and accountability for inbound and outbound pallets, reusable assets, repaired pallets, and stored materials.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, and facility maintenance activities to minimize downtime and ensure reliable production performance.
- Establish and enforce safety procedures, conduct regular facility inspections, and maintain compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
- Foster a strong safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, training, and proactive identification and correction of workplace hazards.
- Maintain strong working relationships with Walmart and other internal and external customers, ensuring service expectations, quality standards, and operational commitments are consistently met.
- Partner with Regional Managers and Division Operations leadership to establish performance goals and implement strategies that improve facility efficiency and profitability.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including production output, labor productivity, cost per unit, inventory accuracy, equipment downtime, safety performance, and customer service.
- Conduct regular audits of production processes, warehouse operations, inventory systems, equipment maintenance, and workplace safety practices.
- Recruit, train, develop, and retain qualified employees while promoting teamwork, accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Prepare and communicate operational performance reports, production results, labor metrics, financial performance, and improvement initiatives to senior leadership.
- Troubleshoot and resolve operational challenges, production bottlenecks, quality concerns, inventory discrepancies, and customer issues with urgency and sound judgment.
- Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and productive facility while ensuring compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulations.
Skills & Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
- Experience: 5+ years of progressive operations management experience in manufacturing, warehouse operations, distribution, reverse logistics, or a comparable high-volume production environment.
- Leadership: Proven experience managing large hourly workforces, developing supervisors and team leaders, improving employee performance, and building a culture of accountability.
- Financial Management: Demonstrated experience with P&L or cost center management, operating budgets, labor costs, productivity metrics, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Production Management: Strong understanding of production planning, labor scheduling, material handling, process improvement, quality control, and operational performance management.
- Industry Experience: Experience in pallet repair, pallet recycling, reusable asset management, reverse logistics, or third-party logistics operations strongly preferred.
- Warehouse Operations: Knowledge of shipping and receiving, inventory control, forklift operations, warehouse processes, and asset tracking.
- Maintenance Coordination: Experience coordinating equipment maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, and operational downtime reduction.
- Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required; experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), inventory systems, or production reporting software preferred.
- Safety: Strong understanding of OSHA requirements, warehouse and manufacturing safety practices, forklift safety, and employee safety training.
- Communication: Excellent leadership, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees, customers, and senior management.
- Certifications & Licenses: Valid Driver's License required.
- Other Requirements: Must be a hands-on leader willing to spend significant time on the production floor. Ability to work flexible hours based on operational needs and support a fast-paced warehouse and production environment. Must be able to lift 50-100 lbs. when required, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment:- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work in a warehouse environment. This may include exposure to dust, fluctuating temperatures (hot and cold), and moderate to high noise levels. Steel-toed boots and other personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required.
Shift: Full-Time Schedule based on operational needs
