Packaging Plant Manager: Lean Leader Driving Growth

TH Daniels; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TH Daniels is seeking a Plant Manager for a key manufacturing site in the Greater Chicago Area. This high-impact leadership role oversees overall operational performance, profitability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has proven senior manufacturing leadership experience and a track record of improving throughput, reducing costs, and driving lean initiatives in packaging environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior manufacturing leadership (Plant Manager / Site Manager / Operations Manager).
• Experience in flexible packaging, paperboard packaging, folding cartons, or related environments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, planning, quality, maintenance, and packaging processes.
• Track record of delivering improvements, cost reductions, waste reductions, and productivity gains.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with budget and site performance management.
• Excellent Health & Safety and regulatory compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of daily plant performance and strategic direction.
• Lead and develop a multi-functional site team with a continuous improvement culture.
• Own site performance across safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and profitability.
• Drive lean initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to meet customer requirements.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve throughput, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure production plans meet demand with highest quality, service, and safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Support growth through capacity planning and investment in people and processes.

Skills

Senior leadership

Plant operations

Lean manufacturing

Budgeting & finance

Safety & compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

TH Daniels is seeking a Plant Manager for a key manufacturing site in the Greater Chicago Area. This high-impact leadership role oversees overall operational performance, profitability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has proven senior manufacturing leadership experience and a track record of improving throughput, reducing costs, and driving lean initiatives in packaging environments.