Plant Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

The Plant Manager at XCAL Tools is responsible for overseeing and directing all manufacturing operations at the Clare, Michigan facility. This includes production, maintenance, quality assurance, safety, logistics, and personnel management. The Plant Manager ensures efficient, cost-effective, and timely production while upholding standards of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. The role is accountable for meeting operational goals in alignment with company strategies and customer requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises department supervisors, production leads, and key support staff. Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the manufacturing team.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of manufacturing experience, including 3–5 years in a plant leadership role.
• Experience in tooling, precision machining, or metalworking industries strongly preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage all plant operations and support functions to achieve daily, weekly, and monthly production targets.
• Ensure compliance with production schedules, product quality standards, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that align with corporate goals for growth, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Implement and enforce company policies, safety procedures, and environmental regulations.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives, continuous improvement (CI) projects, and root cause analysis for performance issues.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, capital project planning, and facility improvements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales departments to support new product introduction and capacity planning.
• Analyze plant performance metrics (KPIs) such as OEE, throughput, scrap rates, and labor efficiency, and take corrective action as needed.
• Develop and manage the plant operating budget, including labor, materials, and capital expenditures.
• Recruit, train, and develop plant personnel. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, process flow, and production planning.
• Proficiency in lean manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems, production scheduling, and cost control.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, process documentation, and quality specifications.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily operates in a manufacturing plant environment with routine exposure to machinery, noise, and safety hazards.
• Occasional exposure to varying temperatures depending on season and plant conditions.
• Requires regular walking, standing, climbing, and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional travel to vendors, suppliers, or other company sites may be required.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs):

• Production throughput and schedule adherence
• Safety incident rate (TRIR)
• Quality metrics (scrap rate, customer returns)
• Labor efficiency and productivity
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Budget adherence and cost savings
• Employee engagement and retention

*Excellent benefits include medical with a standard PPO plan with deductibles as low as $1,500 and wellness credit up to $750; free concierge primary care; voluntary 401k plan currently matching up to 12%; voluntary dental and vision plans; free telemedicine services; basic life, long and short term disability coverage.