Plant Manager

Dana Corp; Cumberland Heights (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana Corp is seeking a Plant Manager in Tennessee to lead the facility’s operations and drive Lean initiatives. You will implement the Dana Operating System, manage a workforce, and align performance with financial and strategic goals.

You will oversee manufacturing, supply chain, safety, and continuous improvement programs while coordinating with engineering, quality, and corporate leadership to deliver operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Must set and execute long-term operational strategies aligned with business goals.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, lean principles, and continuous improvement.
• Strong budgeting, cost analysis, and financial metrics to manage plant profitability.

Responsibilities

• Full plant P&L responsibility including strategy, policies, processes, practices, systems.
• Provide leadership and management of people, processes, and products across manufacturing, sales, finance, and supply chain.
• Communicate successfully at all levels internally and with customers, suppliers, and community.
• Establish credibility with business unit leadership to influence long-range improvements.

Skills

Operational strategy

Lean manufacturing

Budgeting & finance

Team leadership

Cross-functional comms

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Purpose

The Plant Manager (PM) must effectively organize, lead & manage all functional elements of the facility. The PM must embrace corporate & business unit initiatives including lean manufacturing & implementation of the Dana Operating System (based on the Toyota Production System (TPS)). The PM will maintain a workforce for highly motivated employees with a morale that is conducive with performance being measured at or above minimum acceptable levels, drive performance to achieve or exceed financial plans & strategic goals. The PM operates within the overall framework of Dana strategies, set objectives, & procedures.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Full plant P&L responsibility including strategy, policies, processes, practices, systems
• Provide leadership & management of people, processes, & products including, but not limited to: - Manufacturing &/or assembly operations - Sales; finance (operating budget, cost controls, capital management, AP/AR etc.) - Supply chain management (procurement/distribution) - Inventory management - Environmental/occupational health & safety - Employee selection & development - Labor relations - Continuous improvement (cost, quality, productivity, operational excellence) - Metrics & reporting - Program management - Product launches - Facilities & equipment, & engineering
• Communicate successfully at all levels within the organization as well as externally with customers, suppliers & the community.
• Establish credibility (through Lean knowledge, business acumen, & plant-specific knowledge) with business unit & other executive leadership to influence basic strategy & effective inclusion of long-range improvements to business unit plans

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
• 12+ years of experience

Skills

• Ability to set and execute long-term operational strategies that align with business goals, including production efficiency, cost control, and quality improvement.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies to drive performance across all plant functions.
• Strong grasp of budgeting, cost analysis, and financial metrics to manage plant profitability and resource allocation effectively.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and engagement.
• Excellent communication skills to coordinate with departments such as engineering, quality, supply chain, and corporate leadership, ensuring alignment and transparency.