Plant Manager
As the Plant Manager for Zurn Elkay’s Flow Systems Drains Center of Excellence in Erie, PA, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a multi-shift manufacturing operation. This role is responsible for driving safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and associate engagement while ensuring the successful execution of production, planning, maintenance, supply chain, and continuous improvement activities.
The Plant Manager will lead a team of value stream managers, supervisors, planners, maintenance professionals, and associates to achieve operational excellence and deliver superior customer outcomes. This position is responsible for aligning plant operations with business objectives, maximizing capacity utilization, driving continuous improvement through ZEBS and Lean methodologies, managing capital investment and maintenance strategies, and fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and winning.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, this leader plays a critical role in delivering Zurn Elkay’s fulfillment strategy, supporting profitable growth, and accelerating value creation for customers through operational excellence.
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership- Provide leadership, direction, and coaching to plant operations, planning, maintenance, and support teams.
- Lead a multi-shift manufacturing operation to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives.
- Develop and execute strategic plans aligned with company goals and operational priorities.
- Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, ZEBS methodologies, and continuous improvement practices.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and associate development.
Production & Planning- Oversee production planning and scheduling to ensure customer demand is met while maximizing available labor, equipment, and facility capacity.
- Monitor production performance and ensure actual output meets planned schedules and customer expectations.
- Utilize inventory, demand, and capacity reporting to proactively manage order fulfillment and inventory availability.
- Coordinate manufacturing, purchasing, machining, assembly, and outside processing activities to support on-time delivery objectives.
- Work closely with Customer Care, Procurement, Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to resolve constraints and improve service levels.
Safety, Quality & Compliance- Ensure compliance with all OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, company policies, and safety standards.
- Champion a culture where safety is the highest priority and continuous risk reduction is expected.
- Partner with Quality teams to maintain product quality standards and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to eliminate recurring operational issues.
Continuous Improvement- Accelerate continuous improvement efforts through ZEBS, Kaizen events, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and problem-solving methodologies.
- Develop and maintain standard work, visual management systems, and KPI-driven management routines.
- Lead plant-wide improvement initiatives targeting productivity, lead time reduction, inventory optimization, and cost savings.
- Utilize KPI reporting and Visual Daily Management (VDM) systems to monitor performance and sustain improvements.
Maintenance & Asset Management- Develop and execute the plant Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy and master plan.
- Implement and monitor Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) programs.
- Manage facility maintenance and CMMS operations, including spare parts management and preventive maintenance programs.
- Oversee facility infrastructure including HVAC, compressed air, wastewater treatment systems, and building maintenance.
- Analyze equipment performance and failures to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
Capital & Financial Management- Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
- Identify, justify, and execute capital improvement projects that support growth, efficiency, safety, and quality objectives.
- Provide leadership for capital planning, appropriation requests, and project implementation.
- Monitor spending, manage costs, and drive productivity improvements to achieve financial targets.
Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate with commercial teams, service centers, customers, and third-party sales representatives to meet customer expectations.
- Lead responsive problem resolution efforts for customer concerns and supply chain challenges.
- Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Engineering, Quality, Information Technology, Customer Care, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to improve business performance.
Talent Development & Associate Engagement- Build and develop high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and talent development.
- Lead hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and workforce planning activities.
- Champion associate engagement initiatives that foster inclusion, recognition, ownership, and a strong sense of belonging.
- Create an environment that promotes trust, collaboration, and continuous learning.
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience, including plant management responsibilities.
- Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
- Previous union leadership experience.
- Strong understanding of production planning, manufacturing operations, maintenance, supply chain, and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations and manufacturing safety programs.
- Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and driving operational results.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
- Lean Six Sigma certification and demonstrated experience leading operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience implementing TPM, OEE, Visual Daily Management (VDM), and World Class Manufacturing principles.
- Experience with ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Success Factors- Strategic Mindset
- Decision Quality
- Drives Results
- Plans and Aligns
- Builds Effective Teams
- Develops Talent
- Instills Trust
- Customer Focus
- Collaborates Across Functions
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
- Financial Acumen
- Change Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Safety Leadership
This role requires a proven manufacturing leader who can balance strategic thinking with daily operational execution, develop people, improve processes, and consistently deliver exceptional results for customers, associates, and the business.
Total Rewards and Benefits- Competitive Salary
- Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
- Matching 401(k) Contribution
- Health Savings Account
- Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Annual Bonus Eligibility
- Educational Reimbursement
- Matching Gift Program
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount!
**THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.**
