Plant Manager

Mold-Tech Engraving; Kelly (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Standex Engraving is launching a state-of-the-art automotive interior soft trim parts facility in Fraser, MI. We seek a dynamic Plant Manager to lead all plant and production management, blending traditional management with hands-on oversight of plastic injection molding operations to ensure efficient, high-quality, and safe production of automotive components.

The role involves building a high-performance team, establishing processes, and driving continuous improvement from the ground up, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field preferred (experience may be considered in lieu of degree).
• 3+ years of operational management experience in manufacturing, Class A soft trim automotive interior manufacturing, including edge-folding and finesse operations.
• Experience in automotive plastic injection molding; prior experience with start-up desirable.
• Experience deploying, qualifying and validating new processes in a highly automated production environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all plant operations, including production, quality, safety, maintenance, and logistics, to achieve goals.
• Partner with Leadership and Launch Manager to develop multi-year strategic plan for part production business.
• Plan, coordinate, and control manufacturing processes to meet production targets and deadlines.
• Lead, coach, and develop department leads and operators, fostering engagement and continuous improvement.
• Monitor equipment performance and implement process improvements for injection molding operations.
• Ensure adherence to IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and health & safety regulations.
• Collaborate with maintenance and quality teams to minimize downtime and scrap rates.
• Manage site P&L, budgeting, and cost-saving opportunities while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Staffing, interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, performance management, retention and terminations in partnership with HR.
• Drive actions to foster employee engagement and a respectful work environment.
• Communicate production timing, quality, and delivery with customers and upper management.

Skills

Proactive prioritization

Adaptability

Leadership & coaching

GD&T & experimental design

Data-driven problem solving

Lean/continuous improvement

Quality & safety standards

Communication & organization

MS Office & production software

Physical capability (lift up to 50 lbs

Education

Bachelor’s in Manufacturing/Engineering or related field

3+ years of manufacturing operations management

Experience in automotive plastic injection molding

Startup environment experience

Experience deploying new processes in automated production

Job description

Position: Plant Manager

Location: Fraser, MI

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Vice President, Standex Engraving North America

Summary

Standex Engraving is launching a new, state-of-the-art automotive interior soft trim part manufacturing facility in Fraser, MI. This is a (relatively) small-scale operation designed to augment our other offerings in the space, including engraving and soft trim tooling. As a start-up operation, we seek a dynamic Plant Manager to lead all aspects of plant and production management. This role combines traditional plant management with hands‑on oversight of plastic injection molding operations, ensuring efficient, high-quality, and safe production of automotive components. The Plant Manager will be instrumental in building a high-performance team, establishing processes, and driving continuous improvement from the ground up.

Essential duties

• Oversee all plant operations, including production, quality, safety, maintenance, and logistics, to achieve operational, financial, and productivity goals.


• Utilize innovative capabilities to successfully execute part production operation. Partnering with Leadership and Launch Manager in developing multi‑year strategic plan for part production business.


• Plan, coordinate, and control manufacturing processes to ensure production targets and customer deadlines are met.


• Lead, coach, and develop department leads, production supervisors, and operators, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.


• Monitor equipment performance and implement process improvements for plastic injection molding operations.


• Ensure adherence to automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, etc.) and enforce company policies with a strong emphasis on health and safety.


• Collaborate with maintenance and quality teams to minimize downtime and scrap rates.


• Maintain production reports, analyze data, and recommend process optimization strategies.


• Manage site P&L, operating within budget and identifying opportunities for cost savings while maintaining customer satisfaction.


• Approve maintenance work, equipment purchases, and coordinate shipments with logistics and customers.


• Ensure proper staffing levels and schedules, track and approve paid time off, hours worked, and manage personnel matters including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, development, training, performance management, retention, and terminations (partnering with local HR).


• Drive proactive actions to foster employee engagement and ensure a respectful, ethical work environment.


• Communicate effectively with customers, upper management, and internal teams regarding production timing, quality, and delivery.


• Models company policies and values, promotes a positive work environment. Champions safety and quality initiatives, culture surveys, and recognition programs


• Miscellaneous duties in support of successful business operation

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field preferred (experience may be considered in lieu of degree).


• 3+ years of operational management experience in manufacturing, Class A soft trim automotive interior manufacturing, including edge‑folding and finesse operations.


• Experience in automotive plastic injection molding; prior experience with start‑up desirable.


• Experience deploying, qualifying and validating new processes in a highly automated production environment

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proactive approach, ability to prioritize and act with a sense of urgency.


• Comfortable with ambiguity and change and willingness to constantly learn and adapt


• Strong leadership, coaching, and problem‑solving skills.


• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) and experimental design


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret production data and solve technical challenges using first principles


• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.


• Highly knowledgeable of quality standards and health & safety regulations.


• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Proficient in MS Office and production management software.


• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, walking, standing, reaching, bending, operating a computer keyboard, and other physical requirements to execute essential duties