Plant Manager, Santa Clara, MX.

LIXIL Water Technology Americas; Santa Clara Coatitla; Presencial; MXN 900.000 - 1.300.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The LIXIL Water Technology Americas plant in Mexico seeks a Plant Manager to lead all manufacturing operations, including Safety, Quality, Delivery and Productivity, with a focus on lean practices and cost control.

You will bridge Japanese manufacturing philosophy with local culture, lead a multidisciplinary team, and report performance to corporate leadership while driving continuous improvement and environmental, health, and safety compliance.

Formación

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Ceramic, Materials, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field).
• Experience: 5–8 years in senior plant management in ceramics, concrete, or glass; automotive or other manufacturing also acceptable.
• Cultural background: Experience in Japanese or Asian-capital companies is a plus.
• Language: Fluent in English and Spanish for daily corporate reporting.
• Technical: Plaster Casting technology; Rheology of ceramic suspensions (slips and glazes).

Responsabilidades

• Lead end-to-end operations of the manufacturing plant (toilets, urinals, lavys).
• Implement and manage TPS / Lean Manufacturing; monitor KPIs like OEE and scrap rates.
• Ensure CTQ standards on dimensions, flush performance, water absorption, shade, surface finish.
• Manage OPEX and CAPEX; optimize inputs like clays, kaolin, feldspar, gas, water, electricity.
• Oversee EHS: Safety First and wastewater treatment; emissions management.
• Lead multidisciplinary team: Production, Maintenance, Quality, Process Engineering, EHS.

Conocimientos

English proficiency

Spanish proficiency

Leadership

Lean / TPS

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Ceramic, Materials, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering

Herramientas

5S / Kaizen / Kanban

Descripción del empleo

About Us

Every person on the planet dreams of a better home. And at LIXIL, we’re committed to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. We make it happen with pioneering water and housing technology solutions. Home to world leading brands like INAX, American Standard, GROHE, TOSTEM and many more, we touch the lives of more than a billion people each day, transforming houses into homes.

Our planet is the home we all share. So how we do business matters. Our inclusive and empowering culture, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to having a positive impact on the planet are integral to our business strategy.

LIXIL today is on a journey of transformation. The world around us is changing. Technological advances. Evolving needs. New demographics. Shifting expectations. These changes serve as opportunities for solutions to be discovered, and to unlock progress for all.

We invite you to make this journey with us. It is as challenging as it is inspiring. Together we can shape the future of living. We’re a home for growth, for imagination, for creativity. A home for your talent and ambition.

A home for everyone.

Overview

The Plant Manager is responsible for all facets of manufacturing operations at the site, including Safety, Quality, Delivery and Productivity. This includes the safety of employees, the quality of the products manufactured at the site, meeting the schedule set up by SOIP to ensure the right service level, and keeping the right cost structure that allows the plant to be competitive. In addition to current state management, this position is accountable for contributing to the development of long‑term plans for the facility that support the organizational strategies.

Responsibilities

Lead, optimize, and oversee the end-to-end operations of the manufacturing plant (toilets, urinals, and lavys). Ensure compliance with production plans, high aesthetic and functional quality standards, and strict cost control. The role requires bridging the precision and discipline of Japanese manufacturing philosophy (Monozukuri, Kaizen, Safety First) with the local workplace culture and dynamics.

Key Responsibilities

• Ceramic Production Process Management:
  • Oversee the continuous production workflow: raw material preparation (slurry/slip and glazes), molding processes (high/low-pressure casting), drying, manual and robotic glazing, continuous firing (tunnel/shuttle kilns), and final packaging.
  • Ensure thermal efficiency and precise control of the firing curve to minimize scrap, defective pieces (warping, cracks, pinholes), and rework.
• Operational Excellence Systems (TPS / Lean Manufacturing):
  • Implement and maintain the 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).
  • Monitor and optimize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), casting yield, green/fired scrap rates, and cycle times.
• Quality Assurance and Standards:
  • Ensure production rigorously meets technical CTQ standards (dimensions, flush performance, water absorption, shade, and surface finish).
  • Lead root‑cause analysis for process defects using problem‑solving methodologies (5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa).
• Plant P&L and Financial Management:
  • Manage operating expenses (OPEX) and capital expenditure projects (CAPEX) for the facility.
  • Optimize consumption of critical inputs: raw materials (clays, kaolin, feldspar), natural gas, water, electricity, and molds (resin/plaster).
• Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS):
  • Foster a corporate culture focused on "Safety First".
  • Oversee wastewater treatment, slip/glaze recycling, and emissions management in compliance with environmental regulations applicable to the ceramics industry.
• Leadership, Talent Development, and Corporate Culture:
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team (Production, Maintenance, Quality, Process Engineering, and EHS).
  • Adapt headquarters' guidelines to local culture while promoting discipline, punctuality, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Corporate Liaison and Reporting:
  • Maintain fluid and consistent communication (Report, Inform, Consult) with executive management.
  • Prepare periodic operational performance reports and indicators for corporate audits and reviews.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Ceramic, Materials, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field).

Experience: Minimum 5 years experience but 8 years perferred in a senior plant management role within the ceramic, concrete or glass industry ideal but automative or other manufacturing industry is fine.

Cultural Background: Prior experience working in Japanese or Asian-capital companies is a plus.

Language Skills: Fluent in English and Spanish (essential) for daily corporate reporting.

Technical Knowledge:

• Plaster Casting technology.
• Rheology of ceramic suspensions (slips and