Plant Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Plant Manager to lead and oversee all operations at our bottle blowing and injection molding facility, supporting our growing custom label bottled water division. The ideal candidate has a strong background in plastics manufacturing, a deep understanding of high-speed production environments, and a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

You will be responsible for managing daily plant operations, optimizing performance, coordinating with production and logistics, and ensuring seamless integration with our bottled water production lines. This is a hands-on leadership role for a strategic thinker who can motivate teams, implement process improvements, and drive efficiency in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Operations Management
• Oversee all plant operations including blow molding, injection molding, quality control, and maintenance.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team including production supervisors, technicians, machine operators, and maintenance staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
• Production Planning & Optimization
• Coordinate production schedules to meet custom label order deadlines and bottling line requirements.
• Monitor and optimize equipment performance, minimizing downtime and maximizing output.
• Implement lean manufacturing practices and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Quality Assurance
• Ensure product quality meets company standards and regulatory requirements (FDA, NSF, etc.).
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance team to identify root causes of defects and implement corrective actions.
• Maintenance & Equipment
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs for all bottle blowing and injection molding machinery.
• Ensure compliance with OEM specifications and maintain proper spare parts inventory.
• Safety & Compliance
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular safety audits, training sessions, and emergency response drills.
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Manage plant budgets, track KPIs, and report on performance metrics.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives without compromising safety or product quality.
• Collaboration & Communication
• Liaise with bottling operations, sales, supply chain, and customer service teams to align production with business needs.
• Support the onboarding of new custom label SKUs with engineering and design teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Manufacturing, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in a manufacturing management role, ideally in blow molding and/or injection molding.
• Experience in a high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environment, preferably in the beverage or plastics industry.
• Strong knowledge of mold changeovers, process optimization, and automated production systems.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, production scheduling software, and OEE tracking.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies is a plus.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.