Plant General Manager

CareerNerds, LLC; Linden (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CareerNerds, LLC seeks a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, driving safety, efficiency, quality, and cost control. This leader will coordinate production, maintenance, and quality teams to meet customer requirements and company targets.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in manufacturing leadership, a Lean mindset, and experience with ERP/MRP systems. Strong communication and budget management are essential for success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management or 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing activities to meet production schedules, quality standards, delivery commitments, and targets.
• Lead, develop, and hold supervisors and employees accountable for performance, productivity, attendance, and policy adherence.
• Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety procedures, conducting inspections, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Monitor production output, labor utilization, equipment performance, downtime, and scrap; implement efficiency improvements.
• Ensure products meet customer specifications and quality requirements; support corrective actions and prevent defects.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and equipment improvements to minimize downtime.
• Manage plant operating expenses, labor costs, materials usage, and other resources to meet financial targets.
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean, 5S, root-cause analysis, and other problem-solving methods.
• Coordinate with purchasing, warehouse, and supply chain teams to maintain inventory levels and support production.
• Track and report KPIs, production results, safety performance, quality metrics, and improvement initiatives to senior management.
• Work closely with sales, customer service, engineering, quality, maintenance, and logistics to resolve issues and support business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Engineering/Operations

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

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