Plant Manager - Manufacturing

Plant Manager

National Glass & Aluminum Manufacturer
Cheswick, PA | Full-Time | $115,000 - $125,000

Relocation Available!

Glass Manufacturing Experience Strongly Preferred | Steel or Batch Manufacturing Backgrounds Considered

Why This Role?

• Full P&L ownership of a manufacturing facility with approximately 120 employees.
• Lead a three-shift operation with direct oversight of three Production Managers.
• Join one of North America's largest architectural glass and aluminum manufacturers.
• Backed by private equity with significant investments in growth, acquisitions, and operational excellence.
• Opportunity to drive meaningful cultural and operational transformation.
• High visibility role with direct exposure to senior leadership and future advancement opportunities.

About the Opportunity

This is a hands-on plant leadership role overseeing all aspects of a glass fabrication facility located in Cheswick, Pennsylvania, just northeast of Pittsburgh. The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the operation, including production, maintenance, quality, safety, inventory management, logistics, employee engagement, and financial performance.

You will lead approximately 120 employees operating across three shifts and directly manage three Production Managers. This role requires a leader who can balance operational discipline with strong people leadership while driving continuous improvement throughout the facility.

Our client is one of North America's largest architectural glass and aluminum fabricators. The organization has experienced significant growth through acquisition and continues to invest heavily in its people, facilities, and operational capabilities. This position offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact on both plant performance and company growth.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations

• Direct all plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality, shipping, and receiving activities across a three-shift manufacturing environment.
• Establish and monitor production goals while managing scheduling, throughput, capacity planning, and operational performance.
• Implement effective controls for capital expenditures, operating budgets, labor utilization, and workforce planning.
• Ensure equipment, facilities, and manufacturing assets are maintained to maximize uptime and productivity.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost reduction.

Safety & Compliance

• Lead all plant safety initiatives to ensure OSHA compliance and maintain a safe working environment.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs for production equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Promote a culture of accountability, organization, and operational discipline throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, environmental requirements, and regulatory standards.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop three Production Managers responsible for the 5:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 7:00 PM shifts.
• Foster a servant-leadership culture focused on accountability, employee development, engagement, and retention.
• Build trust and credibility with employees through visible leadership, coaching, communication, and follow-through.
• Partner with Human Resources and corporate leadership to support workforce planning, employee relations, and talent development.
• Effectively lead within a unionized manufacturing environment.

Financial Management

• Own full plant P&L responsibility, including production performance, cost control, budgeting, and profitability.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Reduce overtime, premium freight, maintenance expenses, and other operational costs through proactive planning and process improvement.
• Support capital planning and investment decisions that improve operational efficiency and plant performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years in a plant leadership, operations management, or supervisory role.
• Experience within glass manufacturing, steel manufacturing, batch processing, or similarly complex industrial environments.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership with strong business and financial acumen.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and improving operational performance.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and production management systems.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Experience managing production scheduling and capacity planning within a high-volume, multi-shift manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preferred

• Architectural glass manufacturing experience, including tempered, laminated, insulated, or specialty glass products.
• Experience leading organizational change and culture transformation initiatives.
• Success building engagement and accountability within workforces resistant to change.
• Experience operating within a unionized manufacturing environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Base salary of $115,000 to $125,000.
• Full-time, exempt position.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage available immediately upon hire.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with fully vested employer contributions beginning on day one.

Retirement

• 401(k) plan with a 100% employer match.
• Employer contributions become fully vested after one year of service.

Wellness

• Daily pay access program.
• Financial wellness resources and education.
• Company commitment to employee well-being and long-term success.

Relocation Assistance

• Relocation assistance ranging from $8,000 to $12,000 based on distance and subject to executive approval.