Plant Manager

Vesuvius North America; Illinois; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vesuvius North America in Illinois is looking for a Production Manager to oversee plant operations and maintenance, ensuring production goals are met. This role requires strong leadership abilities and a solid background in Ceramic Engineering or Material Science.

The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of manufacturing experience, including lean manufacturing techniques, process engineering, and team development. This position is essential for improving plant quality and efficiency.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Lean Manufacturing experience required.
• Process Engineering experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational and fiscal activities for plant operations and maintenance.
• Establish plant policies and procedures.
• Responsible for plant production goals.

Skills

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Critical Thinking

Active Listening

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Ceramic Engineering or Material Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

JDE

Job description

Description

Manage the operational and fiscal activities for plant operations and maintenance. Establish plant policies and procedures. Responsible for plant production goals. Foster a well‑trained and motivated staff. Plan and develop systems and procedures to improve the operating quality and efficiency of the plant. Supervise staff in accordance with company policies and procedures. Responsible for hiring, training, and coaching employees.

Direct Reports

Exempt Salary employees

Dimensions Of Position

• Oversee all Environmental Aspects including adherence to all legal reporting and ISO 14001 programs (support of NAFTA HSE Manager)
• Oversee all Health and Safety Aspects including adherence to all Vesuvius Standards and QMS & EMS requirements.
• Oversee the on‑site Logistics Coordination for incoming and outgoing loads
• Oversee all Financial Aspects (Cost & Capital Projects) and set up & review all allocations and methodologies.
• Advise on all Engineering Aspects of Equipment and Improvement (Capital & Future Planning).
• Direct and coordinate plant operations within company policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean and safe plant.
• Establish and direct plant policies and procedures.
• Responsible for plant production goals.
• Establish and maintain a positive community relationship.
• Foster a well‑trained and motivated staff.
• Confer with department heads to ensure coordination of purchasing, production, and shipping.
• Select and train plant supervisory and administrative staff.
• Conduct employee performance reviews.
• Schedule and conduct plant meetings.
• Responsible to meet productivity and quality goals for the plant.
• Attend scheduled corporate training and meetings.
• Manage the operational and fiscal activities of the department to include staffing levels, budgets, and financial goals.
• Plan and develop systems and procedures to improve the operating quality and efficiency of the plant.
• Analyze and document processes and problems. Develop solutions to enhance efficiencies.
• Coordinate and implement solutions from process analysis and general department projects.
• Direct staff in the development, analysis, and preparation of reports.
• Coach and provide career development advice to staff.
• Establish employee goals and conduct employee performance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Ceramic Engineering or Material Science or related field preferred.
• 7–10 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Lean Manufacturing (Leader Standard Work, Standardized Work Instructions, 5S, TPM, Kaizen, Takt, etc.).
• Process Engineering experience.
• Capital Projects experience.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing – Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Administration and Management – Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Engineering and Technology – Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to design and production.
• Lean Manufacturing.
• Manpower utilization.
• Ceramic slurries and processes.
• Microsoft Office.
• JDE.

Skills & Behavior

• Strong Leadership skills in training and accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Management of Personnel Resources – Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Problem Solving & Complexity

• Ability of the Production Manager / Group Leader to be a self‑starter that can define and drive projects to completion with limited supervision is highly desirable>Production Manager / Group Leader should have statistical aptitude to solve issues and come up with conclusions.

Key Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Comfort Around Higher Management
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Ethics and Values
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Managing & Measuring Work
• Motivating Others
• Negotiating
• Organizational Agility
• Organizing
• Planning
• Political Savvy
• Drive for Results
• Strategic Agility
• Building Effective Teams