Plant Manager — Lean Ops & Team Growth

Trevor Frances Recruitment; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Trevor Frances Recruitment is assisting a confidential client in Kitchener, Ontario to hire a Plant Manager for a specialized manufacturing facility. You will oversee end-to-end operations, drive safety and productivity, and shape a performance-driven culture.

You will lead a hands-on team of ~20, coach employees, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality output and strategic production plans. A strong background in Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement is essential.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to troubleshoot technical processes alongside the team
• Experience in a unionized environment is required or strongly preferred
• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Business Management, or a related field is preferred
• Strong understanding of inventory management, production planning, and supply chain logistics
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Proven ability to drive engagement, performance, and cultural change within a production environment
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and able to operate with a strong sense of urgency
• Experience in furniture, bedding, or polyurethane-based manufacturing environments is considered an asset

Responsibilities

• Oversee full plant operations, including raw material intake, production, fabrication, and final product shipping
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 20 employees, fostering a positive and engaged workplace culture
• Inspire and motivate teams to exceed performance expectations through continuous improvement initiatives
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and operational discipline, ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, customers, and cross-functional teams
• Support business growth by ensuring high-quality output and efficient turnaround of specialized product lines
• Champion manufacturing initiatives and contribute to the development and execution of strategic and tactical production plans
• Implement and integrate continuous improvement tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) into daily operations
• Develop systems to evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, productivity, and efficiency
• Conduct time studies and establish production standards to optimize performance
• Manage inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain partners to ensure operational continuity
• Oversee multiple production areas and functions, including fabrication, maintenance, and related departments
• Coach employees on problem-solving techniques and provide hands-on support with production troubleshooting
• Manage staffing levels, scheduling, and workforce planning to meet operational demands

Skills

Management experience

Hands-on leadership

Unionized environment

Engineering degree

Inventory management

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree

Business management degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Trevor Frances Recruitment is assisting a confidential client in Kitchener, Ontario to hire a Plant Manager for a specialized manufacturing facility. You will oversee end-to-end operations, drive safety and productivity, and shape a performance-driven culture.

You will lead a hands-on team of ~20, coach employees, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality output and strategic production plans. A strong background in Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement is essential.