Plant Manager, Santa Clara, MX.

LIXIL; Victoria de Durango; On-site; MXN 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

LIXIL Mexico is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all aspects of manufacturing operations including safety, quality, delivery, and productivity at the site. This role drives lean initiatives, cost control, and continuous improvement across production lines for ceramics and sanitaryware.

The candidate must bridge Japanese manufacturing philosophy with local culture, lead a multidisciplinary team, and report on performance metrics to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Ceramic, Materials, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field).
• Minimum 5 years experience but 8 years preferred in a senior plant management role.
• Fluent in English and Spanish for daily corporate reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, optimize, and oversee end-to-end operations of manufacturing plant (toilets, urinals, lavys).
• Bridge Monozukuri, Kaizen, Safety First with local culture and dynamics.
• Ensure compliance with production plans and strict cost control.
• Lead KPIs: OEE, scrap control, cycle times, and quality CTQ standards.
• Manage OPEX and CAPEX; optimize raw materials, energy, and molds.
• Develop long-term facility plans aligned with organizational strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Genba Genbutsu

Quality orientation

Strategic vision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

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 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 glazes).
• Operations for tunnel and shuttle kilns.
• Six Sigma / TPS methodologies.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong Leadership: Ability to motivate local operational personnel.
• Genba Genbutsu: Hands‑on management style centered on visiting the shop floor to directly observe and resolve technical issues.
• Detail & Quality Orientation: Strict focus on surface finishes and functional performance required for premium sanitaryware.
• Strategic & Financial Vision: Capability to balance operating costs with high‑volume targets and superior quality standards.

Hiring Range

Aplicable de acuerdo a localidad

EEO Statement

Declaración de Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleo: AS Maquila México S. de R.L. de C.V. y American Standard B&K México, son empleadores que ofrecen igualdad de oportunidades. Todos los solicitantes que resulten calificados para la posición para la que apliquen, serán considerados para el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, religión, lugar de origen, ascendencia, orientación sexual, identidad de género, genética, discapacidad, estado civil, edad, estado civil, estado de salud, condición o cualquier otra característica protegida por la ley.