What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager position at ITW Food Equipment Group?
Job Description
The Plant Manager is responsible for full site leadership and performance of the Charlotte manufacturing facility. This role has accountability for results across safety, quality, inventory, delivery, and productivity (SQIDP) and drives ITW’s enterprise strategy through focused execution, and continuous improvement applying ITW proprietary toolbox methodologies. Product Line Simplification (PLS), and continuous improvement.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Plant Manager leads Production Supervision and Manufacturing Engineering while partnering closely with HR, Finance, Quality, Sourcing and Engineering. This role establishes the standard for operational excellence, leadership accountability, and site culture.
Skills / Ability
As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The Plant Manager is responsible for full site leadership and performance of the Charlotte manufacturing facility. This role has accountability for results across safety, quality, inventory, delivery, and productivity (SQIDP) and drives ITW’s enterprise strategy through focused execution, and continuous improvement applying ITW proprietary toolbox methodologies. Product Line Simplification (PLS), and continuous improvement.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Plant Manager leads Production Supervision and Manufacturing Engineering while partnering closely with HR, Finance, Quality, Sourcing and Engineering. This role establishes the standard for operational excellence, leadership accountability, and site culture.
Skills / Ability
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- 8 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
- Proven ability to influence, lead teams, and collaborate cross-functionally while consistently delivering results
- Strong understanding of ITW principles (80/20, PLS, decentralized leadership) or similar operating models
- Demonstrated ability to develop talent and build high-performing teams
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions using an 80/20 mindset
- Strong financial acumen and operational decision-making capability
- Hands-on leadership style with strong plant floor presence
- Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills
- Lead plant performance aligned to ITW’s 80/20 Front-to-Back strategy
- Ensure focus on high-value products, customers, and processes
- Lead PLS (Product Line Simplification) and continuous improvement efforts to reduce complexity and improve efficiency
- Translate division priorities into clear, executable plant-level actions
- Champion a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and simplification
- Responsible for plant-level financial performance, including cost control, productivity, and budget adherence
- Partner with Finance to implement margin improvement and cost reduction initiatives
- Ensure disciplined allocation of resources aligned to business priorities
- Lead capital planning and execution (safety, productivity, and growth investments)
- Drive alignment between production schedules, labor, and material availability
- Establish accountability for schedule attainment, inventory accuracy, and supplier performance
- Remove barriers and align resources to meet customer demand
- Partner closely with the on-site Engineering Manager and Sustaining Engineering team
- Influence engineering priorities to support production stability, flow, and customer delivery
- Ensure effective coordination of engineering changes, NPI, and technical support with plant needs
- Ensure alignment between product design, manufacturability, and operational efficiency
- Model and reinforce Trust, Respect, Integrity, Shared Risk, and Simplicity
- Drive a safety-first culture aligned with “Every Accident is Preventable”
- Partner with HR in a co-ownership model for employee relations, performance management, and development
- Strengthen leadership capability to drive accountability, execution, and a strong leadership pipeline
- Maintain overall accountability for facility operations and compliance, including safety systems, security, and regulatory requirements
- Serve as the primary escalation point for building-related systems (security, fire protection, OSHA compliance)
- Ensure inspections, maintenance, and controls are functioning effectively
- Plant floor and Office,
- Approximately 10% travel
- Onsite at Charlotte plant
- Must be able to bend, stoop, lift 50 pounds, reach and twist to complete all job tasks.
- Must be able to wear all required PPE (i.e., safety glasses, steel/composite toe safety shoes)
- Reliable transportation
As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.