What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager position at Wolf Gugler Executive Search, LLC?
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Plant Manager, Ashland, Ohio
Lead Operations. Drive Continuous Improvement. Make an Impact. Marmon Fastener Company, a proud member of the Marmon Group / Berkshire Hathaway, is a leading manufacturer of engineered fastener solutions serving a wide range of industrial markets. Known for operational excellence, quality manufacturing, and long-term stability, Marmon Fastener Company provides an environment where leaders are empowered to improve processes, develop people, and deliver exceptional customer outcomes.
We are seeking a Plant Manager who is a hands-on, visible leader with a strong operational and technical foundation. This role is responsible for leading production, planning, order fulfillment, and continuous improvement while working closely with teams on the shop floor to drive performance, accountability, and results. Wolf Gugler is retained to carry out this search on MFG's behalf.
The Role As Plant Manager, you will oversee end-to-end plant operations with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. You will partner cross-functionally to align production with customer demand while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Production & Operations Leadership
- Lead and execute production plans aligned with customer requirements and business objectives
- Ensure performance targets are met across safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency
- Identify bottlenecks and lead process improvements to optimize throughput and cost
- Maintain a strong shop-floor presence, coaching and supporting frontline leaders
Planning & Supply Chain Coordination
- Partner with sales, marketing, and procurement on demand forecasting and production planning
- Optimize inventory levels to balance service, working capital, and cost
- Build resilient planning processes to manage capacity constraints and supply disruptions
Order Fulfillment & Customer Collaboration
- Oversee warehouse and distribution operations, including receiving, storage, picking, and shipping
- Ensure accurate, on-time order fulfillment and inventory integrity
- Collaborate with customer service and logistics teams to resolve issues quickly and effectively
- Use customer feedback and market insights to drive operational improvements
Continuous Improvement & Performance Management
- Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives across the plant
- Engage teams in identifying and implementing measurable process improvements
- Track KPIs and communicate progress toward operational and strategic goals
- Build a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and continuous learning
Qualifications & Experience5 years of progressive experience in plant or operations management within a manufacturing environment
- Metal manufacturing experience strongly preferred. Cold heading experience is ideal.
- Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, delivery, and productivity metrics
- Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to develop and engage teams
- Experience with production planning, inventory management, and logistics
- Working knowledge of ERP systems and Microsoft Office
- Lean Green Belt, Six Sigma, or similar certification preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field preferred
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Regular presence on the production floor; ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility
- Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs
- Compliance with PPE and all safety requirements
A very competitive compensation package including bonus, profit sharing, 401k match, excellent benefits and relocation assistance await the right person! This position is available immediately.