Manager Plant

Advanced Drainage Systems; Wooster (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Drainage Systems is seeking a Plant Manager for our Wooster, Ohio facility. You will oversee daily operations, drive safety, quality, and productivity, and partner with EHS, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Quality teams to meet production targets.

The role requires a proven leadership track record in manufacturing, strong communication, and the ability to develop talent across shifts. Travel is limited, and you will translate strategy into actionable plant goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 10+ years of managerial experience in a production environment.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge and ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills among cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage staffing, budgets, and cross-shift operations.

Responsibilities

• Champion a safe work environment by leading safety-focused initiatives and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and retention metrics.
• Lead and sustain continuous improvement through Lean principles and data-driven problem-solving.
• Reinforce standardized processes and work practices to improve discipline and accountability.
• Manage staffing, succession planning, and talent development across all shifts.
• Coach and engage frontline leaders to strengthen decision-making and team performance.
• Translate corporate strategies into actionable plant objectives leveraging technology and CI tools.
• Oversee inventory control, materials management, and fulfillment to support production goals.

Skills

Leadership

Lean practices

Operational excellence

Communication

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or significant manufacturing/management experience

Job description

Advanced Drainage Systems

EEO Statement

Advanced Drainage Systems is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Manager Plant

US-OH-Wooster

Job ID: 2026-21500

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Advanced Drainage Systems

Overview

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions, committed to sustainability and innovation. With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, we deliver high-quality products across multiple industries while recycling over half a billion pounds of plastic annually. At ADS, we foster a culture where diverse perspectives drive better ideas, ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to make an impact.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a Plant Manager to join our Wooster, Ohio team! In this role, you will oversee plant operations, ensuring safety, driving production, and collaborating with various departments to achieve business objectives. If you are passionate about manufacturing operations, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a safe work environment by leading initiatives that embed a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and corporate standards.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and employee retention metrics.
• Lead and sustain continuous improvement efforts using Lean principles and data-driven problem-solving to eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Promote a culture of discipline, consistency, and accountability by reinforcing standardized processes and work practices.
• Manage staffing levels, succession planning, and talent development to align with production needs and build leadership capability across all shifts.
• Coach, mentor, and engage frontline leaders to strengthen decision-making and team performance.
• Support company’s culture statement by fostering employee engagement strategies to reduce turnover, improve morale, and sustain productivity.
• Translate corporate and regional strategies into actionable plant-level objectives, leveraging technology, data, and CI tools to achieve sustained KPI improvements safely.
• Oversee inventory control, materials management, and fulfillment accuracy to support production goals and superior customer service.
• Develop, manage, and adjust the operational budget in response to changing business demands and market conditions.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with EHS, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams to align operational plans, schedules, and priorities.
• Communicate plant performance clearly and consistently to employees, peers, and leadership to ensure transparency and shared accountability.
• Participate in regional initiatives and enterprise projects that support manufacturing excellence and align plant objectives with broader corporate priorities.
• Engage with local organizations, schools, and events to build meaningful community relationships that enhance ADS brand visibility and position the plant as a preferred local employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 10+ years of managerial experience in a production environment.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong operational skills and knowledge of lean business practices.
• Ability to drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team leader/member with diverse groups.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, reach, bend, and move about the facility.
• Occasionally lift and move up to 25 lbs.
• Travel – 10%.

Skills & Competencies

• Leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Operational and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of lean business practices.
• Ability to coach and develop team members.
• Strong communication skills.

Leadership Competencies

EEO Statement

ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

EEO Statement

ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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