Plant Manager

PLANT MANAGER

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, operational performance, safety, production efficiency, workforce development, maintenance, and profitability of the company's precast concrete manufacturing operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role provides hands-on leadership for all production and maintenance activities while ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely execution of manufacturing schedules.

The Plant Manager serves as the operational leader of the facility, driving accountability, productivity, continuous improvement, and employee development through direct leadership of production and maintenance supervision. The Plant Manager partners closely with the Quality Control Manager, Engineering, Purchasing, Project Management, and Logistics to ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company and customer requirements.

This position is responsible for achieving production objectives, improving throughput and capacity, developing front-line leadership, controlling operating costs, and preparing the facility for future growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Management:

• Direct and manage all production operations, including casting, finishing, curing, production workflow, labor allocation, and manufacturing execution
• Review, approve, and assume ownership of all plant production schedules
• Ensure production commitments are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established priorities
• Monitor schedule adherence and implement corrective actions when production performance falls behind plan
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Project Management, Purchasing, Quality Control, Yard Operations, and Dispatch to ensure operational readiness and successful project execution
• Optimize labor, equipment, facility resources, and manufacturing processes to maximize productivity and profitability
• Monitor plant performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve operational results
• Maintain a visible presence throughout plant operations and actively engage with employees at all levels

Leadership & Workforce Development:

• Lead, coach, and develop foremen and production personnel
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold supervisors and employees accountable for results
• Participate in workforce planning, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, disciplinary actions, and termination decisions in partnership with Human Resources and the COO
• Participate in hiring, training, performance evaluations, and succession planning
• Maintain a visible daily presence throughout the facility and actively engage with employees at all levels

Safety & Compliance:

• Champion and model a safety-first culture throughout the organization
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety regulations
• Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and training programs
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Hold all employees accountable for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

Quality Leadership & Accountability:

• Promote and maintain a culture of quality throughout all manufacturing operations
• Ensure production activities are performed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, manufacturing procedures, and quality requirements
• Partner with the Quality Control Manager to achieve plant quality objectives and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Hold production personnel accountable for adherence to approved manufacturing processes and quality standards
• Support root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions within plant operations
• Monitor production-related quality metrics, rework, scrap, and process variation to identify improvement opportunities
• Collaborate with the Quality Control Manager, Engineering, and Project Management teams to improve manufacturability, consistency, and operational efficiency
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and compliance initiatives as required

Financial & Operational Performance:

• Develop, manage, and maintain accountability for the plant operating budget
• Monitor labor, maintenance, and production costs while maintaining operational effectiveness
• Analyze production reports, key performance indicators, and operational data to identify improvement opportunities
• Develop and implement strategies that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase profitability
• Approve overtime requirements based on production schedules and operational demands
• Support capital expenditure planning and provide recommendations to the COO regarding equipment and facility investments

Maintenance & Asset Management:

• Direct preventative and corrective maintenance activities through the Maintenance Foreman
• Ensure equipment reliability and operational readiness to support production requirements
• Minimize downtime through effective planning, maintenance execution, and resource allocation
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities for reliability improvements
• Participate in capital equipment planning, replacement strategies, and facility improvement initiatives

Engineering & Continuous Improvement:

• Partner with Engineering and Quality Control to improve manufacturability, production efficiency, safety, and product consistency
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, workflow enhancements, standardization, and waste reduction
• Recommend drawing, design, and process revisions that improve manufacturing performance and operational efficiency
• Communicate manufacturing constraints, production challenges, and improvement opportunities to Engineering and Quality Control
• Support implementation of approved process improvements, operational changes, and growth initiatives

Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Partner with Purchasing to ensure materials, consumables, and production resources are available to support manufacturing schedules
• Coordinate with Yard Operations to facilitate efficient movement of raw materials, forms, and finished products
• Collaborate with Dispatch and Project Management to support schedule execution and delivery commitments
• Support customer visits, plant tours, audits, and inspections as required
• Communicate operational risks, resource constraints, and schedule impacts to senior leadership in a timely manner

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 7 years of progressive leadership experience in the precast concrete manufacturing or construction industry
• 5 years of proven experience managing a production facility
• Strong knowledge of precast production methods, formwork systems, reinforcement, batching, casting, curing, and finishing operations
• Demonstrated success leading production teams and improving operational performance
• Strong understanding of OSHA regulations and manufacturing safety programs
• Experience managing budgets, labor costs, production schedules, and plant KPIs
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Business, Manufacturing, or related field
• PCI or NPCA certification knowledge and experience
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience
• Experience with structural, architectural, utility, or specialty precast products

WORK SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY

• This position primarily supports plant operations during normal production hours
• Flexibility is required to support staggered production shifts and operational needs
• Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend work may be required
• The Plant Manager is expected to maintain a visible and active presence throughout plant operations

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position works in a manufacturing and production environment with exposure to:

• Concrete dust, debris, and lubricants
• Noise and vibration
• Hot, cold, wet, and changing weather conditions
• Moving machinery and heavy equipment
• Physical labor and repetitive motions

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands, fingers, feel, and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift products and supplies, up to 40 pounds.

Pay: $130,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $130,000 - $140,000