Plant Manager

HSM; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

HSM in Hickory, NC seeks an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations across foam cutting, fabrication, packaging, and shipping. You will develop operating plans aligning plant performance with business goals and customer needs, driving efficiency and safety across the site.

The role requires 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, with a background in high-volume environments such as automotive or furniture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Previous Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or similar leadership experience strongly preferred
• Experience in transportation, automotive, engineered products, furniture, bedding, or another high-volume manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, and continuous improvement
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, labor optimization, ERP/MRP systems, and operational performance metrics
• Working knowledge of CNC cutting, fabrication, assembly, material flow, warehousing, and shipping operations
• Understanding of maintenance, capital equipment planning, automation, and manufacturing technology improvements

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, including foam cutting, fabrication, kitting, packaging, shipping, and supporting production activities
• Develop and execute operating plans that align plant performance with business objectives and customer needs
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, 5S, and waste elimination
• Optimize production scheduling, labor utilization, equipment performance, and material flow to increase throughput and efficiency
• Establish and monitor KPIs to improve productivity, quality, inventory accuracy, and overall plant performance
• Partner with Engineering on new product launches, process improvements, equipment installations, and automation initiatives
• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company requirements
• Support ISO 9001 requirements while advancing automotive readiness through IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 principles

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

5S

Process optimization

ERP/MRP familiarity

Team development

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP

CNC cutting

Production scheduling

Inventory management

Automation

Job description

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, including foam cutting, fabrication, kitting, packaging, shipping, and supporting production activities
• Develop and execute operating plans that align plant performance with business objectives and customer needs
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, 5S, and waste elimination
• Optimize production scheduling, labor utilization, equipment performance, and material flow to increase throughput and efficiency
• Establish and monitor KPIs to improve productivity, quality, inventory accuracy, and overall plant performance
• Partner with Engineering on new product launches, process improvements, equipment installations, and automation initiatives
• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company requirements
• Support ISO 9001 requirements while advancing automotive readiness through IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 principles

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field highly preferred; equivalent education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for operations, production, quality, safety, and employee development
• Previous Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or similar leadership experience strongly preferred
• Experience in transportation, automotive, engineered products, furniture, bedding, or another high-volume manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, and continuous improvement
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, labor optimization, ERP/MRP systems, and operational performance metrics
• Working knowledge of CNC cutting, fabrication, assembly, material flow, warehousing, and shipping operations
• Understanding of maintenance, capital equipment planning, automation, and manufacturing technology improvements

Why Join Us?

Health & Wellness : Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcareoptionfor qualified participants.

Retire: 401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.

Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO: 3 weeks of PTO + company paid holidays.

On-Site Medical Clinics: Free for you and covered dependents.

Teladoc: 24/7 access with no copay.

Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement,professional developmentassistanceandcareer growth opportunities.

Discounts: Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, genderidentityor expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated againston the basis ofdisability.

#IND2

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.