Plant Manager

Seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead operations at its new Van Buren, Arkansas facility. This role will oversee production, safety, quality, inventory management, procurement, workforce development, and facility expansion activities. The Plant Manager will play a key role in scaling operations, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and building a high-performing team culture.

The first month includes training at the company's Dallas-Fort Worth facility, with all travel expenses covered by the company.

Responsibilities

Operations & Leadership

• Lead all daily manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, safety, and cost goals.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and production employees.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Project Management & Facility Expansion

• Lead startup and scale-up initiatives for the new facility.
• Develop project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate equipment installation, facility expansion, and operational readiness.
• Manage cross-functional teams to ensure project milestones are achieved.

Purchasing & Procurement

• Develop procurement strategies for equipment, materials, and services.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Generate and oversee purchase orders.
• Coordinate material availability to support production schedules.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency.

Inventory & Material Control

• Implement inventory management and material control processes.
• Conduct cycle counts and inventory audits.
• Optimize inventory levels while minimizing waste and shortages.
• Coordinate material flow between warehouse and production teams.

Training & Workforce Development

• Develop and implement employee training programs.
• Identify skill gaps and create development plans.
• Support onboarding and cross-training initiatives.

Equipment & Facility Management

• Coordinate equipment acquisition, installation, and commissioning.
• Develop preventative maintenance plans.
• Ensure equipment reliability and facility readiness.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of Plant Manager experience.
• Minimum 3 years of Operations Management experience.
• Strong manufacturing or production management background.
• Experience leading teams in a production environment.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience with inventory management, procurement, and production planning.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Experience with facility startup, expansion, or scale-up projects.
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.