Plant Manager

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision coverage

401(k) investment plan with employer a

Paid time off

Remote work stipend

Job summary

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions in Minnesota is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, drive production, safety, quality, and cost targets, and lead a team of supervisors and department heads.

You will champion lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, aligning plant performance with corporate goals while fostering teamwork, accountability, and a culture of safe, efficient manufacturing. You will also manage budgets and collaborate with finance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or production.
• Experience managing operations in high-volume manufacturing with budgets, P&L, and production planning.
• Experience with Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement methods is strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management with focus on development and motivation.
• Excellent problem-solving and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations in manufacturing.
• Proficiency with ERP software and manufacturing systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and supply chain.
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet customer demand while optimizing capacity and costs.
• Ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of high-quality products per specifications.
• Monitor plant performance metrics and take corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Champion safety by enforcing OSHA/EPA regulations and improving safety culture.
• Lead initiatives to improve safety culture, reduce incidents, and ensure training adherence.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to management and supervisors.
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven environment with teamwork and accountability.
• Recruit, train, and develop plant staff with succession planning.
• Manage plant budgets and control operating costs; identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with finance to forecast performance and adjust operations accordingly.
• Drive continuous improvement, lean practices, and Six Sigma to boost productivity.
• Promote root-cause analysis and problem-solving across the plant.
• Ensure products meet customer specs and internal quality requirements.
• Work with QA to resolve issues and implement preventive measures.
• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure timely procurement of materials.
• Manage inventory levels to support production and minimize waste.
• Oversee shipping and logistics for on-time delivery to customers.
• Report plant performance and opportunities to corporate leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on new product development and capacity planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Data analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Lean manufacturing tools

Job description

OVERVIEW

Cadrex is seeking a Plant Manager who will oversee all daily operations of a manufacturing plant, ensuring the facility operates efficiently, meets production targets, and complies with safety, quality, and cost standards. This leadership role is responsible for directing and coordinating activities to ensure the plant's overall performance and productivity align with company goals. The Plant Manager will lead a team of supervisors and department heads, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and accountability.

Description

OVERVIEW

Cadrex is seeking a Plant Manager who will oversee all daily operations of a manufacturing plant, ensuring the facility operates efficiently, meets production targets, and complies with safety, quality, and cost standards. This leadership role is responsible for directing and coordinating activities to ensure the plant's overall performance and productivity align with company goals. The Plant Manager will lead a team of supervisors and department heads, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, logistics, and supply chain activities
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet customer demands while optimizing plant capacity, resources, and costs
• Ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality products in accordance with company specifications and industry standards
• Continuously monitor plant performance metrics (e.g., production output, OEE, efficiency rates) and take corrective actions as needed to achieve targets
• Champion workplace safety by enforcing compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.)
• Lead initiatives to improve the safety culture within the plant, reducing accidents, injuries, and incidents
• Ensure all employees receive the necessary training and adhere to established safety protocols and procedures
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to the plant management team and supervisors, ensuring alignment with company values and objectives
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven work environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and accountability
• Recruit, train, and develop plant staff, focusing on skills development and succession planning
• Manage plant budgets and control operating costs, ensuring expenditures align with financial targets
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining production efficiency and product quality
• Collaborate with the finance department to forecast plant financial performance and adjust operations accordingly
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the plant to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize production processes and increase productivity
• Promote a culture of problem-solving and root-cause analysis to identify opportunities for improvement
• Ensure that products meet or exceed customer specifications, industry standards, and internal quality requirements
• Work closely with the quality assurance team to resolve quality issues and implement preventive measures
• Support the development and maintenance of quality control systems to monitor production outputs
• Coordinate with the supply chain team to ensure the timely procurement of raw materials, parts, and components necessary for production
• Manage inventory levels to support production needs without excess material or waste
• Oversee shipping and logistics operations to ensure on-time delivery to customers
• Act as the main point of contact between the plant and corporate leadership, providing regular updates on plant performance, challenges, and opportunities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., engineering, sales, finance) to support new product development, capacity planning, and customer satisfaction
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies

Requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment, with 3+ years in a plant management role preferred
• Proven track record of managing operations in a high-volume manufacturing setting, including responsibility for budgets, P&L, and production planning
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is strongly preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on employee development, coaching, and motivation
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a hands‑on approach to operational challenges
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions and improve plant performance
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations in manufacturing
• Proficiency with manufacturing software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with all levels of the organization

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field
• Master’s degree in related field preferred

LOCATION

• Onsite

SCHEDULE

• Monday – Friday

Total Compensation Includes

• Health/dental/vision coverage
• Employer-paid and supplemental life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay
• Monthly remote work stipend (for remote employees who qualify)
• 401(k) investment plan, with an employer match of up to 4%
• Education support program
• Safety eyeglasses/shoe reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Bonus plan for all full-time employees

CADREX’S CORE VALUES

• Safety first, rising to the challenge, collaboration, accountability, and doing the right thing

About Us

CADREX Manufacturing Solutions is a leading provider of complex sheet metal and machined production parts, assemblies, and weldments for a variety of end markets, including electrical transmission and distribution, warehouse automation, technology, aerospace & defense, medical, food, and industrials. With locations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Monterrey Mexico, CADREX offers numerous in‑house manufacturing capabilities, including laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex assembly, CNC punching, CNC machining, forming, robotic welding, stamping, fastener insertion, and tool and die manufacturing, to effectively serve customers with lights‑out manufacturing capabilities for mid- to high-volume production.

Cadrex provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.