Plant General Manager

Philips Recruiting Services / Philips Automotive Recruiting; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Philips Recruiting Services / Philips Automotive Recruiting seeks a hands-on Plant General Manager to oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, drive Lean improvements, and deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.

The ideal leader has a proven track record in complex manufacturing, can balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution, and develops high-performing teams while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Significant leadership experience within a complex manufacturing operation.
• Track record delivering improvements in quality, cost, delivery, safety, and productivity.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading new product/program launches.
• Financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and plant-level P&L responsibility.
• Able to lead, develop, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to delegate and hold teams accountable for results.
• Operate in a fast-paced, high-accountability manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of manufacturing quality and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations including production, quality, safety, delivery, and cost.
• Establish and execute operational strategies aligned with company goals.
• Ensure targets for quality, delivery, productivity, and cost are met or exceeded.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles.
• Analyze processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Develop and manage the plant's annual operating plan, budget, and financial performance.
• Maintain accountability for monthly and annual plant results.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and promote customer-focused quality.
• Maintain a safe work environment and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare for plant emergencies and disruptions with contingency planning.
• Lead, develop, and coach employees; foster trust and teamwork.
• Conduct performance evaluations and set expectations.
• Communicate effectively across all levels and provide coaching.
• Proactively resolve operational issues and conflicts.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships across the organization.
• Provide leadership for new product and program launches.
• Promote a positive, professional, performance-driven culture.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Problem solving

Communication

Team development

Financial management

P&L responsibility

New product launches

Decision making

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

**Candidates MUST have experience and a demonstrated track record of success leading complex manufacturing operations---Chemical industry experience preferred**

Position Summary

The Plant General Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations and performance of the manufacturing facility. This role provides leadership across production, quality, safety, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement to ensure the plant consistently delivers high-quality products on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate is a results-driven, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, complex manufacturing environment and has a proven ability to build high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and deliver sustainable business results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, including production, quality, safety, delivery, and cost performance.
• Establish and execute operational strategies that support company goals and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure the plant consistently meets or exceeds quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
• Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles and best practices.
• Analyze production processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, and overall plant profitability.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the plant's annual operating plan, budget, and financial performance.
• Maintain accountability for monthly and annual plant financial results.
• Ensure compliance with all company quality standards and promote a culture focused on quality and customer satisfaction.
• Establish and maintain a safe work environment while ensuring compliance with all company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure the organization is prepared to effectively respond to plant emergencies and operational disruptions.
• Lead, manage, and develop employees while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, teamwork, and integrity.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish clear performance expectations for plant personnel.
• Communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization and provide appropriate coaching, counseling, and direction.
• Proactively identify and resolve operational issues, employee conflicts, and performance challenges.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships across all functional areas of the organization.
• Provide leadership and oversight for new product and new program launches, ensuring successful execution and transition into production.
• Promote a positive, professional, and performance-driven culture throughout the facility.

Education & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Significant leadership experience within a complex manufacturing operation.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing plant operations and delivering measurable improvements in quality, cost, delivery, safety, and productivity.
• Strong background and working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven experience leading new product/program launches.
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and plant-level P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibility and hold teams accountable for results.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-accountability manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality and safety standards.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on, results-oriented manufacturing leader who can balance strategic thinking with strong day-to-day operational execution. They should be comfortable working in a demanding environment, making timely decisions, developing people, and driving measurable improvements across the entire plant.

• The strongest candidates will demonstrate a history of taking ownership of complex manufacturing operations and consistently delivering sustainable improvements in plant performance.