Assistant Plant Manager

SMS group USA; Gary (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

401k with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

SMS group Inc. in Gary, IN seeks an Assistant Plant Manager to support the Plant Manager in daily operations, driving safety, efficiency, and quality across production, maintenance, and process improvements.

You will work with operations, engineering, maintenance, and customers to implement new processes and ensure successful project outcomes. Requires leadership, manufacturing knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a technical engineering field.
• Experience in manufacturing or steelmaking environments preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead improvements and solve problems.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Plant Manager in daily operation and assume leadership in their absence.
• Promote safety and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
• Monitor performance against objectives for safety, quality, productivity, and costs.
• Lead continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering to improve equipment reliability.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Root-cause analysis

Process engineering

Manufacturing knowledge

Safety & compliance

Communication skills

Reading blueprints/technical drawings

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/industrial/manufacturing/metallurgical engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Assistant Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the facility. This position provides leadership for production, quality, maintenance coordination, process improvement, employee development, and customer technical support.

The Assistant Plant Manager works closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, sales, and customers to achieve business objectives, improve operational performance, and ensure the successful implementation of new processes, equipment, and procedures.

Who We Are

At SMS group, our people are our greatest asset. We offer an entrepreneurial environment that promotes a culture of innovation, growth, and inclusion. We offer company events, activities, and opportunities to participate in charitable initiatives that benefit the communities where we are located.

www.sms-group.us

What You'll Do

• Support the Plant Manager in the daily operation of the facility and assume leadership responsibilities in the Plant Manager’s absence
• Promote a safe working environment and ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulations
• Monitor production, quality, delivery, productivity, labor, and cost performance against established objectives
• Lead or support continuous-improvement initiatives designed to improve safety, product quality, productivity, equipment reliability, and customer satisfaction
• Maintain regular contact with customers and respond promptly to technical, equipment, process, and trial-related inquiries
• Develop, coordinate, track, and report the results of customer-related operational and process improvement trials
• Review customer business plans and develop action plans identifying how process engineering and technical services can support customer objectives
• Coordinate investigations into the root causes of breakouts, equipment failures, quality concerns, and other operational problems at customer facilities
• Participate in customer problem-solving teams and provide technical assistance related to casting processes, equipment performance, and product quality
• Assist with the implementation and standardization of improved procedures, processes, and equipment at the facility and at customer locations
• Recommend improvements that increase equipment in-service life, reduce repair time and costs, and improve operational performance
• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering personnel to identify equipment reliability and process improvement opportunities
• Assist with periodic audits of business and quality systems and recommend corrective actions and improvement opportunities
• Prepare and evaluate quotations and estimates and assist with proposal and contract reviews as required
• Coordinate the customer gauge calibration program
• Assist customers in developing specialty tools and coordinate the related manufacturing opportunities with SMS Technical Services
• Support the Product Development division in trials involving new equipment, materials, procedures, and casting processes
• Contribute to the improvement of engineering design procedures, technical methods, and operating standards
• Support employee training and customer training on process technology, product quality, safety, and new procedures
• Maintain current knowledge of casting technology, industrial equipment, process improvement methods, and relevant industry developments
• Assist the Operations Manager – Repair and other management personnel as directed
• Prepare reports, presentations, procedures, and other documentation required for internal and customer use

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise, coordinate, or provide functional leadership to assigned employees and teams
• Assign work, establish priorities, and monitor completion of operational and technical activities
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and employee development
• Promote accountability for safety, quality, attendance, productivity, and compliance with company procedures
• Support workforce planning, scheduling, and coordination across departments as required
• Provide leadership during customer trials, plant improvement activities, and operational problem-solving events

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, Metallurgical, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited four-year college or university; or six to ten years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in manufacturing, steelmaking, continuous casting, refractory products, industrial equipment, or a related technical environment
• Supervisory, operations leadership, process engineering, or plant management experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead improvement initiatives and solve operational and quality problems using structured root-cause analysis
• Working knowledge of production operations, equipment performance, quality systems, maintenance coordination, and workplace safety
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, technical specifications, engineering documents, blueprints, drawings, procedures, and government regulations
• Ability to analyze and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, business correspondence, procedures, and presentations
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, managers, customers, and other stakeholders
• Proficiency with spreadsheet, word-processing, presentation, and business management software
• Ability and willingness to travel to customer facilities and provide occasional support outside normal working hours, as required

Competitive compensation, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid vacation, paid holiday time, 401k with a company match, training, a tuition reimbursement program and more!

SMS group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identity or other categories protected by law.