Manager, Plant

Primary Function:

The Plant Manager will lead and manage the operations of a USA Wood Door location. This position requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in leading people and processes, ensuring quality standards, and driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess strong continuous improvement leadership skills, a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes, and the ability to drive and sustain standard operating processes that align with the 1USAWD System. The Plant Manager may have direct reports to include functional leaders in Production, Quality, EHS, and Materials. This position has approximately 3-6 direct reports and up to sixty indirect reports; and reports to the Vice President & General Manager of USA Wood Door.

Key Accountabilities:

Production Efficiency (20%)

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet and exceed production schedules, quality standards, and customer expectations.
• Deliver and sustain 98% or better On-Time and Complete (OTC) production orders.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve safety, reduce costs, shorten lead times, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Monitor plant KPIs for labor utilization and labor efficiency and implement corrective actions to ensure consistent performance and operational excellence.
• Create and sustain a culture of accountability.

Production Scheduling and Capacity (20%)

• Manage plant capacity and create proactive solutions to mitigate production bottlenecks.
• Communicate lead times weekly by product line with internal and external customers.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of plant capacity to manage direct headcount and adjust plant flow accordingly to ensure capacity equals or outpaces demand.
• Continuously evaluate plant flow, machinery utilization, and load levels by production cell for operational risk and process improvement.
• Maintain visual production schedule and capacity models that support a Manage-for-Daily-Improvement (MDI) process.

Team Leadership and Development (20%):

• Lead and develop teams with specific duties, plans, and goals for each team member and routine feedback.
• Construct and ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Utilize Voice of Customer and Voice of Employee feedback to enhance team performance.
• Provide support, mentorship, and career path coaching to team members.
• Cross train team members to ensure employee growth and flexible operations.

Plant Profit & Loss Ownership (20%)

• Own the P&L responsibility for the plant; manage cost structure and drive productivity initiatives to offset inflation and support growth.
• Collaborate with Finance, Sales, and Marketing to align operational capabilities with business objectives.
• Evaluate capital investments and staffing decisions with sound financial acumen.
• Ensure continuous improvement plans that drive costs out of the business while maintaining safety and quality.

Quality & EHS Assurance (20%)

• Ensure 100% compliance with safety policies, environmental regulations, and company procedures.
• Establish and maintain standardized work processes across locations in alignment to the 1USAWD System.
• Maintain ownership of internal and external quality management for plant production.
• Foster a culture that encourages proactive Voice of Employee feedback on EHS improvement opportunities.

Job Requirements:

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in management, business, supply chain, or related field required
• Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing Training is preferred.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, or Experience:

Required:

• Minimum of 8 years of operations leadership in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in CNC machining, woodworking, and/or metal working environments.
• Experience in a highly customer service-centric manufacturing business.
• Proven leadership in implementing lean manufacturing methodologies with quantifiable results.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to communicate detailed planning.
• Strong communication, mentoring, and team-building skills with the ability to create a culture of accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change and prioritize in a dynamic environment.
• Financial acumen with prior plant P&L ownership.
• Advanced skillset in Microsoft office – Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong acumen in developing standardized systems and creating accountability to them.
• Experience using data to drive informed and thoughtful decision making.
• Passion for employee engagement and a hands-on leadership style