Plant Manager

Vantage Point Recruiting; Brunswick (ME); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantage Point Recruiting seeks a Plant Manager to oversee all daily plant operations, drive safety, quality, and cost goals, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. You will manage budgets, KPIs, and cross‑functional collaboration to scale production capacity and optimize material flow.

The role requires Lean/Six Sigma expertise, ERP proficiency, and a track record of developing people and culture in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Proven plant management leadership with safety, production, and cost control.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement tools.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing metrics (OEE, yield, throughput).
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day operations: safety, production, maintenance, quality, and shipping.
• Develop and execute production plans with cross‑functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement, safety, and capacity growth.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Manage plant budgets and report KPI performance.
• Mentor plant leadership and staff; drive training and development.
• Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Supply Chain to align schedules and lead times.
• Champion digital manufacturing tools and data‑driven decisions.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

ERP systems

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of the manufacturing plant, ensuring safety, production output, efficiency, quality, and cost-management goals are met. This role provides leadership to drive continuous improvement, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, and meet customer expectations. This hands-on leader with strong operational expertise, maintains a strong commitment to safety, and a focus on optimizing productivity through people, process, and technology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and manage all day-to-day operations of the plant including safety, production, maintenance, quality assurance, and on-time shipping
Maintain a safe and healthy work environment for all manufacturing employees
Collaborate with the VP, Manufacturing to develop and execute production plans to meet business objectives and growth strategy
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, capacity growth, process optimization, and waste reduction
Act as the primary Lean champion for the facility, embedding structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies across all levels
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations
Partner closely with cross functional stakeholders to Lead to support rapid revenue growth, ensuring the plant scales through capacity expansion, automation, process standardization, and workforce development
Manage plant budgets and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, quality, and safety
Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and employee empowerment and engagement across all levels of the organization
Collaborate with the product development, supply chain, and procurement teams to improve material flow, equipment reliability, and production efficiency
Oversee maintenance programs to ensure optimal equipment uptime and longevity
Support and mentor plant leadership and staff, providing training and development opportunities
Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Supply Chain to ensure production schedules, quality expectations, and lead times align with customer and market needs
Champion digital manufacturing tools and data-driven decision-making to improve visibility, traceability, and performance
Collaborate with Senior Leadership to build training and development plans for all manufacturing employees with focus on safety, engagement, communication, leadership, and manufacturing-specific skill development
Supports and models the company values and mission
Other duties as assigned, relevant to the role and support of the company

Desired Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline or related field required
Strong manufacturing operations experience, with several years in a plant management/ leadership roleProven track record in safety performance, production management, process improvement, building a respectful and effective workplace culture
Strong working knowledge of manufacturing metrics (OEE, yield, throughput, downtime, etc.)
Demonstrated success leading operations in a growth-oriented, fast-paced manufacturing environment
Proven ability to manage daily plant operations including production, maintenance, quality, and safety functions
Hands-on experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement tools
Formal Lean or Six Sigma certification required (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt preferred)
Demonstrated ability to lead structured problem-solving (A3, DMAIC, Kaizen)
Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Strong data and analytical skills; ability to use dashboards and metrics to guide decisions

Values and Traits:

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated commitment and success in training programs and employee development through all levels of a manufacturing organization
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and change-management skills
Strong decision-making ability, particularly under conditions of rapid change
Leads by example with humility and respect
Prioritizes developing people, coaching, and strong cultural alignment
Holds teams to high standards and follows through on commitments.
Makes decisions based on facts, data, and company values
Skilled at active listening, conflict resolution, and constructive feedback
Thrives in an environment of growth, evolving demands, and rapid change
Ability to pivot quickly while keeping teams aligned and focused