Plant Manager

Talent 1 Source; Elizabethtown (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent 1 Source in Elizabethtown, KY is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee warehouse operations in a high-volume consumer products environment. You will drive operational excellence, optimize material flow, and lead automation initiatives while ensuring safety, quality, and productivity.

The role requires strategic leadership with hands-on experience managing automated systems, warehouse teams, and cross-functional production support; you will manage budgets, KPI tracking, and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of warehouse or plant operations leadership in consumer products/manufacturing.
• Experience implementing and managing automation technologies such as robotics, conveyors, AS/RS, WMS/WCS.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading large KPI-driven teams.
• ERP and WMS proficiency; data analytics is a plus.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily warehouse operations including receiving, storage, inventory control, and outbound distribution.
• Lead automation projects and optimize system performance with engineering/IT.
• Recruit, train, and develop warehouse supervisors and staff.
• Drive safety programs, audits, and corrective actions per OSHA.
• Analyze workflow and lean practices to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Oversee inventory accuracy and ERP/WMS cycle counts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align with plant goals and customer needs.
• Manage budgets, capital projects, and ROI for automation upgrades.
• Track KPIs like throughput, labor efficiency, downtime, and safety.
• Provide strategic leadership for a high-volume operation.

Skills

Automation tech

Lean manufacturing

Data analytics

ERP/WMS knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management

Tools

WMS/WCS systems

AS/RS

Robotics

Job description

Elizabethtown, United States | Posted on 07/30/2026

The Plant Manager oversees all warehouse operations within a high‑volume consumer products manufacturing environment. This leader is responsible for driving operational excellence, optimizing material flow, implementing automation technologies, and ensuring safety, quality, and productivity standards are consistently met. The role requires a strategic operator with hands‑on experience managing automated systems, warehouse teams, and cross‑functional production support.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership— Direct daily warehouse operations including receiving, storage, inventory control, material handling, and outbound distribution to ensure efficient support of manufacturing and customer fulfillment.

Automation & Technology Management— Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of automated systems (e.g., conveyors, robotics, AS/RS, WMS/WCS platforms). Partner with engineering and IT to optimize system performance and uptime.

Team Management— Recruit, train, and develop warehouse supervisors, technicians, and material handlers. Build a performance‑driven culture focused on accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance— Ensure full compliance with OSHA, company policies, and industry standards. Drive proactive safety programs, audits, and corrective actions.

Process Optimization— Analyze workflow, labor utilization, and equipment performance to identify bottlenecks and implement lean practices that reduce waste and improve throughput.

Inventory Accuracy— Oversee cycle counts, reconciliation processes, and system accuracy within ERP/WMS platforms. Maintain high inventory integrity to support production planning and customer service.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration— Work closely with production, quality, procurement, and logistics teams to align warehouse operations with plant goals and customer requirements.

Budget & Resource Management— Manage departmental budgets, capital projects, staffing plans, and vendor relationships. Evaluate ROI for automation upgrades and equipment investments.

Performance Metrics— Track and report KPIs including throughput, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, downtime, and safety performance. Implement corrective actions to achieve targets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field is preferred

7–10+ years of warehouse or plant operations leadership within consumer products, food/bev, or manufacturing.

Proven experience implementing and managingautomation technologies such as robotics, automated conveyors, AS/RS, WMS/WCS systems, or automated packaging lines.

Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and warehouse optimization methodologies.

Demonstrated success leading large teams in fast‑paced, KPI‑driven environments.

Proficiency with ERP and WMS platforms; experience with data analytics tools is a plus.

Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.

Success Profile

A successful Plant Manager in this environment is a decisive leader who blends operational discipline with technical fluency. They thrive in automation‑enabled environments, elevate team performance, and consistently deliver safe, efficient, and accurate warehouse operations that support the broader manufacturing strategy.