Plant General Manager

W3Global; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

W3Global is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to direct daily fabrication activities at our Kentucky facility, overseeing lasers, brake presses, welding, and finishing cells. The role drives scheduling, throughput, and continuous improvement across a multi-skilled team from operators to process engineers.

The candidate will implement Lean initiatives (5S, CAPA) and maintain strict safety standards while optimizing OEE and cost control.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive operations management experience in metal fabrication/contract manufacturing.
• Deep knowledge of sheet metal operations including fiber lasers and press brakes.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems, SecturaSOFT and CAD/CAM nesting workflows.
• Leading on-floor teams and engaging operators, supervisors, and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and floor execution across fabrication work centers.
• Direct master production scheduling to optimize machine utilization and OTIF delivery.
• Drive floor accountability for cycle times, quality, and safety.
• Collaborate with CAD/CAM, DFM, and Estimating teams to route quotes to production.
• Oversee footprint optimization, cell layouts, and equipment projects for throughput.
• Lead Lean, 5S and CAPA/8D to reduce scrap and rework.
• Ensure zero-incident safety culture and regulatory compliance.
• Manage plant expenses, labor budgets, overtime, and CapEx.
• Develop workforce through training and cross-training across press brakes, lasers, and robotics.

Skills

Shop floor leadership

Lean Manufacturing

5S

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Operations Management degree

Tools

SecturaSOFT

ERP systems

CAD/CAM nesting software

Job description

About The Job

Company Description

We delivers high-capacity, precision-engineered metal fabrication solutions for global OEMs and Tier-1 supply chains. Operating from an advanced manufacturing facility in Burlington, Kentucky, the company produces complex contract components, custom weldments, and assemblies for critical industries. With roots dating back to 1965 under Skilcraft LLC and a legacy carried through O'Neal Manufacturing Services, the facility is built on decades of industrial excellence and master-level metalworking. Now under private, family-held ownership, We remain deeply connected to the workforce of Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area. The organization is powered by experienced fabricators, certified welders, and specialized technicians whose multi-generational expertise supports consistent, high-quality production from prototype through full-scale runs.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership & Floor Execution
• Direct daily operations of fabrication work centers (fiber lasers, press brakes, welding cells, hardware insertion, and powder coating/finishing).
• Manage master production scheduling to optimize machine utilization, balance workload across work centers, and guarantee high On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery metrics.
• Drive floor-level accountability, ensuring supervisors and operators meet target cycle times, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Engineering & Manufacturing Integration
• Collaborate closely with CAD/CAM, DFM, and Estimating teams (utilizing SecturaSOFT/ERP systems) to ensure seamless transition of quotes into routing sheets, nesting plans, and shop travelers.
• Oversee floor-level footprint optimization, cell re-layouts, and equipment decommissioning/acquisition projects to maximize throughput per square foot.
• Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and root-cause analysis (8D / CAPA) to reduce scrap rates and rework.
• Enforce safety policies and environmental compliance to maintain a zero-incident culture.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) oversight and ensure full compliance with customer engineering specs and quality management standards.
• Financial & P&L Oversight
• Manage plant operational expenses, labor budgets, overtime utilization, and capital expenditure (CapEx) projects.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including scrap weight ratios, labor efficiency variances, equipment OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), and job profitability.
• Workforce & Culture Development
• Lead, mentor, and retain a multi-generational workforce spanning machine operators, welders, programmers, and shipping personnel.
• Establish clear training frameworks to cross-train operators on press brakes, lasers, and robotic cells, building flexibility into shift scheduling.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery (OTD): ≥ 98%
• First-Pass Quality Yield: ≥ 99%
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): Target benchmarks for primary CNC laser and forming cells
• Scrap / Material Yield: Minimize drop and maximize nested sheet utilization
• Safety: Zero OSHA recordable incidents

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive operations management experience within a custom metal fabrication, contract manufacturing, or precision job shop environment.
• Technical Expertise: Deep working knowledge of sheet metal operations (fiber lasers, press brake setup, bend allowances, manual/robotic welding, and hardware installation).
• Systems: Hands-on experience with manufacturing ERP systems, automated quoting platforms (e.g., SecturaSOFT), and CAD/CAM nesting software workflows.
• Leadership Style: Hands-on, visible leader who spends consistent time on the shop floor engaging with operators, supervisors, and process engineers.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent hands‑on industry experience.