Plant Manager - GPM

Norsk Hydro; Châteauroux; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Company car

Employee benefits

100% employer-covered health insurance

Bonus Plan Eligibility up to 15%

Job summary

Norsk Hydro in Châteauroux seeks a Plant Manager to oversee the overall performance of the manufacturing facility. You will manage daily operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency while leading and developing staff for a high-performance culture.

Ideal candidates bring over ten years in manufacturing, with significant experience in extrusion press planning and people leadership. The role offers a full-time permanent contract with benefits including meal vouchers and health insurance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of five years within extrusion press or cast planning.
• Minimum of eight years of people leadership experience with formal training.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe work environment, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Plan, implement, and monitor production schedules.
• Enforce quality control standards for aluminum products.
• Recruit, lead, train, and mentor staff.
• Develop and manage the plant operating budget.
• Oversee maintenance and upgrades of machinery.
• Provide strategic direction for daily manufacturing activities.
• Oversee complex aluminum-specific equipment.
• Drive operational excellence using Lean and Six Sigma methods.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

ERP systems

ISO 9001

ISO 45001

ISO 14011

IATF certifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial Engineering

HSD or GED

Job description

WHO ARE WE ?

Hydro Extrusions is a world-leading aluminium extrusion business counting around 100 production sites in 40 countries and employing 20,000 people. Through our unique combination of local expertise, global network, and unmatched R&D capabilities, we can offer everything from standards profiles to advanced development and manufacturing for most industries.

Since 1905, Hydro has turned natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses with focus on a safe and good workplace for our 30,000 employees in more than 140 locations.

Hydro is committed to leading the way in shaping a sustainable future and in this way creating more viable societies by transforming natural resources into products and solutions in an innovative and efficient manner for the industries that matter.

Founded in 1967, the Hydro Extrusion Chateauroux subsidiary employs 110 people. A true expert in the field of aluminium extrusion, it is the preferred partner for all extruded aluminium needs, from extrusion to delivery, and is equipped with a major fabricating center.

THE POSITION

• Type of contract: Full time - Permanent contract
• Others: Meal vouchers, company car, employee benefits, 100% employer‑covered health insurance
• Bonus Plan Eligibility up to 15%

JOB SUMMARY

The Plant Manager holds full responsibility for the overall performance of the manufacturing facility, acting as the critical link between corporate leadership and shop‑floor production. This role demands a balance of strategic planning for growth with hands‑on, daily management of resources, maintenance, and personnel to meet customer demands.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a safe work environment, ensuring strict adherence to EPA, OSHA, environmental, and legal regulations while promoting the Hydro Zero accident standard.
• Production Scheduling: Plan, implement, and monitor production schedules to meet customer deadlines and optimize plant capacity.
• Quality Control: Enforce rigorous quality control standards to ensure finished aluminum products meet or exceed industry standards. Benchmarks against other plants to evaluate and lead performance.
• Leadership & Development: Recruit, lead, train, and mentor staff to foster a culture of high performance and safety.
• Financial Management: Develop and manage the plant operating budget, including tracking key financial metrics (KPIs) and managing labor and maintenance costs, including budgets and capital requests.
• Equipment Maintenance: Oversee maintenance and technological upgrades of machinery to ensure long‑term reliability and minimize downtime.
• Operational Leadership and Talent Development: Provide strategic direction for daily manufacturing activities to exceed customer expectations for quality and delivery.
• Production Management: Oversee complex aluminum‑specific equipment such as extrusion presses, fabricating center.
• Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence: Drive operational excellence using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or 5S methodologies to reduce waste and improve efficiency (OEE).

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of ten years in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of five years within extrusion press or cast planning.
• Minimum of eight years of people leadership experience with formal training.
• HSD or GED.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep knowledge & experience in Lean manufacturing.
• Proficiency in ERP systems.
• Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14011, and IATF certifications.
• Travel up to 15%.
• Bachelor’s degree Major(s): Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial Engineering or a related degree or equivalent experience.

WHY JOIN US ?

Care, Courage, and Collaboration

At Hydro, we care about our employees! We care about safety!

Hydro is moving in a new and exciting direction, and we rely on diverse perspectives to solve our challenges and meet the needs of our customers. By building on our three core values—care, courage, and collaboration—we aim to create a high‑performing and sustainable work environment, grounded in the inclusion of our differences.