Plant Superintendent

Job Title Plant Superintendent

Department Plant Operations

Location Olive Branch, MS

Reports To Plant Manager, AFCO Millwork Products

Direct Reports Millwork, Vinyl, and Maintenance Managers/Supervisors (60–120 employees total)

FLSA Status Exempt

Last Updated August 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Plant Superintendent provides day-to-day leadership for plant operations at AFCO’s Olive Branch, MS facility, including production, maintenance, quality, receiving, shipping, staffing, and performance management. This role is accountable for safe operations, product quality, on-time delivery, labor and cost performance, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Plant Manager, Materials Management, and Human Resources, the Superintendent coordinates multi-shift activities and ensures plant resources are aligned to customer demand and business objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety, Quality & Compliance

•   Champion company policies, procedures, and safe work practices; ensure required personal protective equipment, housekeeping standards, and established safety measures are consistently followed

•   Ensure quality process controls are maintained; use production and quality data to identify, correct, and prevent quality incidents, including RGAs for Division 5 customers

•   Maintain and improve plant procedures, work standards, and accountability systems; ensure employees and supervisors understand and follow established requirements

Operations & Production

•   Direct daily manufacturing operations across Millwork, Vinyl, Maintenance, receiving, and shipping to achieve safe, efficient flow and on-time customer shipments

•   Plan workloads, staffing assignments, priorities, and production schedules based on demand, lead times, available labor, equipment capacity, and material constraints

•   Maintain appropriate staffing levels and control labor costs across plant departments; coordinate cross-training for key positions to improve flexibility and continuity

•   Facilitate communication and handoffs between managers and supervisors across multi-shift operations; lead weekly department production meetings and direct changes in priorities when required

•   Respond promptly to operational emergencies and coordinate plant activities in the Plant Manager’s absence

Performance, Cost & Continuous Improvement

•   Monitor operational efficiency against standard cost, production commitments, quality targets, and on-time shipping expectations

•   Develop, maintain, and review KPIs for plant operations; use daily, weekly, and monthly performance data to identify trends, gaps, and corrective actions

•   Analyze production and financial performance to reduce cost, improve throughput, increase efficiency, and eliminate waste while protecting safety and quality

•   Track and report labor used for production confirmations and production variances; maintain accurate BOMs and routings to support reliable labor and product costing

•   Develop a practical working knowledge of the plant P&L and use data to support cost justification for operating and capital expenditures

Inventory, Materials & Logistics

•   Partner with Materials Management on production schedules and production orders, including inventory requirements, shortages, limitations, and timing constraints

•   Oversee inventory team; drive accurate inventory transactions and appropriate variance control

•   Coordinate receiving and shipping performance to support customer service and production requirements

•   Maintain truck-line rates and participate in carrier negotiations and rate reviews to reduce freight cost while maintaining service requirements

Leadership & Administration

•   Lead, coach, mentor, and develop plant managers, supervisors, leads, and team members; delegate effectively and reinforce accountability for results

•   Complete annual performance reviews for direct reports; work closely with Human Resources to address employee relations and performance matters

•   Prepare and ensure timely completion of required plant reports, including monthly operations information and other reporting required by the Plant Manager

•   Assist the Plant Manager with the annual capital budget, including preparation of capital requests and supporting cost/benefit justification

•   Maintain the confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of plant records, systems, and business information

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

•   10 years of verifiable manufacturing or fabrication experience in millwork or related products constructed from aluminum, wood, plastic, or comparable materials

•   10 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment, including leadership responsibility for 50 or more employees

•   Demonstrated knowledge of production scheduling, materials management, inventory control, maintenance coordination, quality systems, safety practices, and shipping/receiving operations

•   Strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, analytical, decision-making, delegation, and time-management skills

•   Ability to direct multiple departments with differing lead times and priorities while maintaining a smooth flow of quality products

•   Ability to interpret production, labor, efficiency, quality, inventory, and financial data and translate findings into corrective actions and operating improvements

•   Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively across functions and shifts and to coach employees at multiple levels

•   Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, databases, and general business systems

•   Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and respond effectively under pressure

•   High school diploma or GED required

Preferred

•   Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems

•   College degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related field

Alternative to Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent on-the-job experience in a similar trade or industry may be considered when it demonstrates the knowledge and capabilities required for the position.