Direct Hire Plant Manager

Behm Consulting LLC; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Behm Consulting LLC is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead a hands-on, safety-focused operation in a manufacturing facility. You will drive daily performance, manage schedules, and develop a strong team to meet customer commitments.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, cost control, and close collaboration with leadership, production teams, and external partners. A senior, hands-on operations leader will be a good fit for this Direct Hire position in the Dayton area.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to use data and metrics to drive improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic experience with production scheduling and time studies.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations to meet safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost goals.
• Plan production schedules, staffing, equipment, materials, and workflow for efficiency.
• Monitor performance using data to identify opportunities and drive results.
• Develop and coach production staff to build a high-performing team.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and implement practical changes.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and ISPM-15 processes.
• Oversee maintenance, vendors, and availability of materials.

Skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Operations management

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Microsoft Office

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

**Direct Hire

Plant Manager

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Plant Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our manufacturing facility. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for driving a safe, efficient, high-performing operation while developing the people, processes, and resources needed for continued growth.

The ideal candidate is a strong people leader who enjoys being close to the operation, solving problems, improving processes, and holding teams accountable to high standards. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost while working closely with leadership, production teams, customers, vendors, and other business partners.

What You'll Do

Lead Operations & Performance

• Lead daily plant operations to achieve company goals for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.

• Plan and coordinate production schedules, staffing, equipment, materials, and workflow to maximize efficiency and meet customer commitments.

• Monitor operational performance and use production data and metrics to identify opportunities and drive results.

• Partner with leadership to establish priorities, solve operational challenges, and continuously improve plant performance.

Develop People & Build a Strong Team

• Lead, coach, and develop production employees and supervisors to build a high-performing team.

• Identify employee strengths and development opportunities and create pathways for continued growth.

• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure employees receive the training and resources needed to perform their jobs safely and effectively.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, workflow, training, housekeeping, and overall plant efficiency.

• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives from identification through implementation.

• Analyze production processes, conduct time studies, and provide recommendations that improve operational performance and cost effectiveness.

• Promote practical, sustainable improvements rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure safety concerns and incidents are promptly addressed and reported.

• Oversee timely resolution of customer quality concerns and ensure corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence.

• Ensure compliant execution of all applicable ISPM-15 processes.

• Partner with the appropriate teams to maintain a safe, clean, organized, and compliant facility.

Equipment, Materials & Vendors

• Oversee maintenance activities, equipment reliability, spare parts, and outside contractors.

• Manage raw material resources and vendor relationships as applicable.

• Identify equipment or resource needs and make recommendations to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Customer & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Ensure production schedules and customer orders are completed accurately and on time.

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, customers, vendors, and other external partners.

• Communicate operational priorities, challenges, and opportunities clearly and professionally.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines strong leadership skills with practical manufacturing experience. You don't need to have followed a specific career path-we value proven leadership, sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to make things happen.

Required

• Previous experience leading and developing teams, preferably in a manufacturing, production, warehouse, or industrial environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage day-to-day operations and prioritize competing demands.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Ability to use operational data, reports, and metrics to make informed decisions.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer-based reporting systems.

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and interpret production information.

• Ability to work effectively in a hands-on, fast-paced operational environment.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in business, operations, manufacturing, engineering, or a related field.

• Previous Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, or similar leadership experience.

• Experience with continuous improvement or Lean manufacturing principles.

• Experience with production scheduling, costing, time studies, or operational metrics.

• Experience managing maintenance resources, vendors, or contractors.

• Bilingual skills are a plus, but not required.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means building a safe, accountable, and high-performing operation where:

• Production consistently meets customer commitments.

• Safety remains a top priority.

• Quality issues are addressed quickly and permanently.

• Teams are properly staffed, trained, and developed.

• Equipment and resources are used efficiently.

• Employees understand expectations and take ownership of their work.

• Continuous improvement becomes part of the everyday culture.

• Plant performance improves over time through measurable results.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is a hands-on plant leadership position. The Plant Manager should expect to spend significant time on the production floor working directly with employees, supervisors, equipment, and processes.

The role regularly requires walking throughout the facility, standing, bending, communicating with employees, and working in an industrial production environment. Occasional lifting may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity for an experienced operations leader to take ownership of a plant, develop a team, and directly influence the performance and future growth of the operation.