Plant Manager

Locweld - A Stella-Jones Company; Fayetteville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical plans

401(k) savings plan with generous match

Annual bonus program opportunity

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Locweld - A Stella-Jones Company is looking for a Plant Manager to lead their new steel lattice manufacturing facility in Fayetteville, Tennessee. This role will shape the team's culture, oversee operations, and ensure the facility reaches full production capacity.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in plant leadership, particularly in manufacturing environments. Key responsibilities include directing all plant functions and achieving continuous improvement in safety and quality.

The position offers competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in manufacturing, fabrication, or heavy industrial environment is essential.
• Experience with steel fabrication and welding operations is preferred.
• Proven success in managing production operations and improving performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall operational performance of the Fayetteville manufacturing facility.
• Direct all core plant functions including manufacturing, welding, and logistics.
• Champion continuous improvement and drive performance across safety and quality.

Skills

Steel structure fabrication

Lean Manufacturing

Overhead crane operations

Data-driven decision-making

Education

Significant plant leadership experience in manufacturing

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Continuous Improvement tools

Job description

Overview

Stella-Jones is a leading manufacturer of essential infrastructure products focused on serving utilities and railroads, as well as supplying big box home improvement stores across North America. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada and publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Stella-Jones operates a network of facilities with broad reach and opportunities for career growth.

Position

Stella-Jones is seeking a Plant Manager to lead the overall operational performance of its Fayetteville, Tennessee steel lattice manufacturing facility. This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity to build and lead a brand-new, state-of-the-art steel lattice tower manufacturing plant. As Plant Manager, you will shape the culture, hire the team, stand up operations, and drive this facility from commissioning through full production ramp-up, delivering approximately 20,000+ U.S. tons annually to North America\'s largest electrical utilities.

Principal Responsibilities

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operational success of the Fayetteville steel lattice facility. This role directs all core plant functions, including manufacturing, welding, assembly, maintenance, quality, inventory, and logistics, while building and leading a multi-shift workforce. This role drives performance across safety, quality, productivity, and cost by establishing operating discipline and championing continuous improvement. You will work closely with the Candiac, Quebec facility to replicate proven processes, transfer standard work, and ensure long-term operational excellence. The Plant Manager will also ensure compliance with AWS D1.1, ISO 9001, OSHA/TOSHA, and environmental requirements.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring significant plant leadership experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or heavy industrial environment, with demonstrated success leading teams, managing production operations, and improving performance in a complex shop-floor setting. Experience with steel fabrication, welding operations, engineered-to-order or make-to-order production, quality systems, safety programs, continuous process improvement, and plant-level operational leadership is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Steel structure fabrication, welding processes, and metal forming/cutting operations.
• Overhead crane operations, rigging, and heavy material handling in a fabrication shop environment.
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies.
• ERP/MRP systems for production scheduling, inventory management, and shop floor control.
• OSHA/TOSHA safety program development and management.
• Environmental permits and compliance requirements for manufacturing facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership: ability to recruit, develop, and retain talent; build team culture; hold people accountable.
• Customer-facing communication on quality, delivery, and continuous improvement matters.
• Data-driven decision-making using KPIs, production data, and financial reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; effective with senior leadership and shop-floor employees.
• Analytical and root-cause analysis skills; ability to resolve issues effectively under pressure.
• Raw material and finished goods inventory management in a make-to-order or engineered-to-order environment.
• French language skills is a plus (but not required) for coordination with the Candiac facility.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to build and lead a brand-new facility for a publicly traded, financially strong company, Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX: SJ), with a clear growth trajectory in the U.S. utility infrastructure market.
• A high-impact leadership role with significant autonomy and direct influence on business results, supported by the resources and expertise of a $3.5 billion North American organization.
• The chance to contribute to infrastructure that powers communities, serving many of North America’s largest electrical utilities as they invest in grid modernization and expansion.
• Collaborative partnership with an experienced Canadian lattice operations team, including access to 75+ years of steel structure manufacturing know-how.

Employee Benefits

• Comprehensive total benefits package with 3 medical plans to choose from
• Several company-paid benefits including:
  • Dental and Vision coverage
  • Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) policies
  • Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • Access to a robust employee assistance program
• Competitive compensation
• Annual bonus program opportunity
• 401(k) savings plan with generous Company match (150% on the first 4% deferred)
• Career advancement opportunities
• Ability to purchase Company stock

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled