Plant Manager

Rapid Engineering LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks PTO

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Specified Air Solutions is seeking a Plant Manager to lead end-to-end manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost controls. The role directs cross-functional teams, drives continuous improvement, and aligns production with business objectives.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in semi-custom, controls-based equipment, Lean/Six Sigma, and data-driven decision making, with established leadership and budgeting experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations management.
• Proven leadership experience in a production environment with semi-custom, controls-based equipment.
• Experience with Lean and Six Sigma is preferred.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end manufacturing operations.
• Meet production targets with high quality and efficiency.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Lead and develop supervisors and production staff.
• Set performance goals and conduct evaluations.
• Foster safety and continuous improvement culture.
• Drive process improvements using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Lead capital investment planning and equipment evaluations.
• Monitor KPIs and take corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage budgets and control costs.
• Analyze production data to improve profitability and reduce waste.
• Support forecasting, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, and Sales.

Skills

Leadership

Lean/Six Sigma

Data-driven

ERP knowledge

Production planning

Cross-functional leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Tools

ERP software

Production planning tools

Job description

Specified Air Solutions is a Madison Air company and we're on a mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more productive through the power of better air. We are a premier HVAC equipment company offering energy efficient and sustainable air handling solutions that help industrial facilities perform better; protect workers, product and inventory; and improve indoor air quality. We offer high quality semi-custom air handling systems in multiple shapes, sizes, and configurations for new construction and renovation. Our four (4) air handling brands (Phoenix Air Systems, Rapid Engineering, Weather-Rite & Bananza) help food processing, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and other industrial facilities achieve better indoor air quality.

Position Summary:

The Plant Manager is responsible for overall operational performance, both leading operations strategy and overseeing daily manufacturing operations to ensure efficient production, high-quality output, cost control, and compliance with safety standards. This role leads cross-functional teams, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures alignment with business objectives. The role of the Plant Manager is to provide leadership of production, safety, maintenance, planning, and industrial engineering functions, and to manage outcomes in these areas directly. The key challenge is to maintain production within specific guidelines for safety, product quality, on-time delivery, production efficiency, and overall cost.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end manufacturing operations
• Ensure production targets are met while maintaining high quality and efficiency standards
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity and reduce costs
• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors and production staff
• Set performance goals and conduct regular evaluations
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Identify inefficiencies and implement Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies
• Drive process optimization initiatives
• Lead capital investment planning and the evaluation, selection, and installation of new equipment and processes
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed
• Ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and safety guidelines
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes
• Manage departmental budgets and control operational costs
• Analyze production data to improve profitability and reduce waste
• Support forecasting, capacity planning, and resource allocation
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, and Sales teams
• Ensure materials, staffing, and equipment are aligned with production needs
• Drive alignment between operations and overall business strategy

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations management
• Proven leadership experience in a production environment, preferably involving similar semi-custom, controls-based equipment
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent problem-solving and decision‑making abilities
• Data‑driven mindset with strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, ERP software, and production planning
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Possesses a “can‑do” with quality first attitude and takes “ownership” over production improvement initiatives.

Position Key Attributes:

• Ability to personally live safe and hold themselves and other team members accountable by having their back in support of our Safety core value.
• Has integrity, works transparently, and recognized for treating others with respect.
• Takes accountability to create and execute solutions that deliver desired results and can “own it” in a Performance Driven Culture.
• Ability to work collaboratively and lead teams in a Teamwork culture.
• Ability to ignite and lead change as a catalyst for improvement.
• Can thrive in a “legacy now” culture in which we strive to do the right thing for the company today, even if it is the hard thing, and leave behind a stronger company for the next generation of employees.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to think strategically, solve problems and create a motivating team environment.
• A “builder” who is comfortable in a continuous improvement culture.
• Starting at 4 weeks of paid time off for vacation/sick
• Paid holidays.
• Company provided health insurance, short term disability, and long-term disability
• Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage options
• 401‑k match of 50% on your contribution up to 6%
• Education Reimbursement of $5,250/year for qualifying programs and courses
• Specified Air Solutions offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.