Plant Manager

Lean Focus; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lean Focus LLC seeks a Plant Manager to lead the El Cajon facility, overseeing operations, safety, quality and efficiency while planning and executing the annual budget, capex and maintenance programs.

You will drive continuous improvement with Lean tools, manage the plant P&L, collaborate with sales on the product plan, and ensure timely, high‑quality shipments. A Bachelor’s degree and at least five years in industrial manufacturing are required, with aerospace/defense experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business.
• 5 years progressive experience in industrial manufacturing.
• Aerospace & Defense End Market product experience required.
• Lean / Continuous Improvement experience with defined tools.
• Experience with ERP and manufacturing systems.
• Strong data reporting and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day plant operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean principles and tools through employee engagement.
• Review production schedules, monitors scrap rates to find areas for improvement.
• Monitors expenses, researches approaches for cost reduction while improving workflow, safety, and workforce requirements.
• Manage facility P&L’s, including monthly reforecasts, to deliver against Annual Operating Plan; represent financials to stakeholders.
• Maintain quality and timely shipments to customers.
• Establish Continuous Improvement environment using tools like 5S, SMED, Kanban, Kaizen, TPM, and leader standard work.
• Work with vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery of supplies to maintain production schedules.
• Encourage and promote improved efficiencies and productivity.
• Communicate business and plant updates to all employees on a regular cadence.

Skills

Lean/CI leadership

P&L management

Cross-functional leadership

ERP/manufacturing systems

Data & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Tools

ERP systems

Manufacturing software

Job description

We are seeking a Plant Manager to lead our El Cajon facility. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented, driven leader who will oversee all phases of the plant operations, including annual budget planning and execution, capital improvements, facility and physical plant upkeep, and maintaining a safe working environment.

The Plant Manager will play an active role in supporting the product sales and marketing plan, partnering with the sales team and managing the operation to the P&L. This individual will lead efforts to improve productivity and profitability across the operation while ensuring quality standards and customer satisfaction remain a priority.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead day to day plant operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, and efficiency
• Lead and support the deployment of a Continuous Improvement culture with a focus on driving foundational Lean principles and tools through employee engagement
• Review production schedules, monitors scrap rates to find areas for improvement
• Monitors expenses, researches approaches for the reduction of costs while improving the overall workflow, safety, workforce requirements, supply flow, etc
• Manage facility P&L’s, including monthly reforecasts, to deliver against Annual Operating Plan; expertly represent facility financials to other stakeholders via review with Finance and Operations
• Maintain quality and timely shipments to customers
• Establishing a Continuous Improvement environment by utilizing key tools with an on-going pursuit of waste elimination, quality, and service level improvement, including:
• 5S Safety, Visual Management, SMED, One Piece Flow, Daily Management, VSM, problem solving, material flow/Kanban, cellular manufacturing set up, TPM, Kaizen events, and leader standard work.
• Work with vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery of supplies to maintain production schedules
• Encourage and promote improved efficiencies and enhance productivity
• Communicate business and plant updates to all employees through a regular cadence

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business or a related field
• 5 years progressive experience in industrial manufacturing
• Aerospace & Defense End Market Product experience required
• Forging, Metallurgy, Machined Engineered Product Expertise Preferred
• Comprehensive experience leading and implementing Lean / Continuous Improvement Processes and Business Systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and applications associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance, and engineering.
• Experience and understanding of ERP and manufacturing systems
• Extensive experience in data and reporting management
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, organize, plan, and make decisions
• Ability to lead and work with teams
• Ability to manage conflicting interests of business partners
• Active listening and strong decision-making skills

Lean Focus LLC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or protected Veteran status.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

At Lean Focus, we help businesses overcome their biggest challenges by transforming them for the better, and for the long-term. A "who's who" of global leaders in every industry, our clients include some of the world's most respected brands and several members of the Fortune 1000.