Plant General Manager

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC; Linden (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC is looking for a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations in a safe, efficient, and cost-conscious manner. You will lead production, maintenance, quality, and plant personnel to meet customer requirements and drive continuous improvement.

You will manage budgeting, safety compliance, delivery performance, and cross-functional collaboration while implementing Lean tools and cost-control practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or plant operations experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, processes, quality systems, safety, and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and improve performance.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing and performance measurement preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing activities to meet schedules and quality standards.
• Lead, develop, and hold supervisors and employees accountable for performance and adherence to policies.
• Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety procedures and compliance.
• Monitor production output, labor utilization, equipment performance, downtime, and scrap; drive improvements.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and equipment improvements to minimize downtime.
• Manage plant expenses, labor costs, materials usage, and productivity targets.
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean, 5S, and root-cause analysis.
• Coordinate with purchasing and supply chain to maintain inventory levels for production.
• Track KPIs and communicate results to senior management.
• Collaborate with sales, customer service, engineering, quality, maintenance, and logistics.

Skills

Leadership experience

Lean manufacturing

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Plant Manager

Reports To

Director of Operations / Vice President of Operations

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily plant operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role leads production, maintenance, quality, and plant personnel to meet customer requirements, achieve operational goals, maintain compliance, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Plant Operations: Oversee daily manufacturing activities to meet production schedules, quality standards, delivery commitments, and operational targets.
• Leadership & Workforce Management: Lead, develop, and hold supervisors and employees accountable for performance, productivity, attendance, and adherence to company policies.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety procedures, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and company standards.
• Production & Efficiency: Monitor production output, labor utilization, equipment performance, downtime, and scrap while implementing improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Quality Management: Ensure products meet customer specifications and quality requirements while supporting corrective actions and preventing recurring defects.
• Maintenance & Equipment: Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and equipment improvements to minimize downtime and maintain reliable operations.
• Budget & Cost Control: Manage plant operating expenses, labor costs, materials usage, and other resources to meet financial and productivity objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements using Lean manufacturing, 5S, root-cause analysis, and other problem-solving methods.
• Inventory & Materials: Coordinate with purchasing, warehouse, and supply chain teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels and ensure materials are available to support production.
• Performance Reporting: Track and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs), production results, safety performance, quality metrics, and improvement initiatives to senior management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, customer service, engineering, quality, maintenance, and logistics to resolve issues and support business objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or plant operations experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, manufacturing processes, quality systems, workplace safety, and maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, solve operational problems, and improve performance.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and performance measurement preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety incidents and compliance performance
• Production output and schedule attainment
• On-time delivery
• Product quality, scrap, and rework rates
• Labor productivity and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Downtime and maintenance performance
• Operating costs and budget performanceEmployee retention, training, and engagement