Plant Manager

Job Summary

A U.S.-based manufacturing facility is seeking a strategic and operationally strong Plant Manager to lead plant operations including safety, production, quality, maintenance, and workforce development. The role will oversee a team of approximately 70 employees through approximately 3-4 direct reports. This position is responsible for executing a multi-million dollar operational plan and supporting the broader manufacturing strategy.

Essential Responsibilities

Planning

• Oversee development and execution of the plant’s annual operating plan, including staffing, raw material procurement, production, and inventory strategies.
• Recommend and oversee capital investments of up to $4 Million annually.
• Review and approve annual plant budgets of up to $15 Million annually.
• Translate manufacturing strategy into site-level objectives and performance goals.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and guide a strong leadership team to meet plant and financial objectives.
• Lead culture and morale initiatives while promoting company values across all levels.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean to reduce cost, increase capacity, and empower team members.
• Conduct performance reviews, develop talent, and lead hiring/promotions for the facility.
• Oversee training and development programs across the plant.

Financial Accountability

• Review monthly financial performance; drive root cause analysis and corrective actions as needed.
• Approve capital and operational expenditures in accordance with company policy.

Quality Management

• Foster a culture committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and product quality.
• Collaborate with corporate quality leadership to ensure quality systems and improvements align with customer expectations.

Safety Leadership

• Ensure full compliance with company safety protocols for all employees and visitors.
• Champion a proactive approach to workplace safety, addressing both conditions and behaviors.

Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full regulatory compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental laws.
• Partner with environmental and compliance staff to proactively address any concerns and report deviations appropriately.

Operational Excellence

• Evaluate and align plant capacity to meet customer demand and business forecasts.
• Collaborate with engineering and process leaders to implement efficiency improvements.
• Support cross-functional decisions on production shifts across regions to optimize cost and service.
• Drive measurable improvements in throughput, equipment efficiency, and labor productivity.

Maintenance & Housekeeping

• Lead a cultural shift toward preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Oversee and improve site housekeeping standards.
• Approve maintenance expenditures in line with budget and policy.

Raw Material Oversight (Mining-Specific)

• Approve and ensure compliance with site mining and reclamation plans.
• Maintain communication with infrastructure leadership regarding production output and regulatory updates.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with marketing, logistics, and R&D to evaluate new product and process opportunities.
• Participate in enterprise-wide best practice sharing and strategic planning sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related technical field.
• 15 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial operations.
• 5 years in senior leadership roles with cross-functional oversight.
• ERP system experience (JDE or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience in industrial processing required; mining or mineral-based operations highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Lean, preventive maintenance, and automated packaging systems preferred.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to develop teams and drive results.
• Strategic mindset with a hands-on approach to execution.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and quality systems.
• Self-starter with a collaborative and team-oriented mindset.