Plant Manager

Ainsley Search Group; Kentucky; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ainsley Search Group seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a manufacturing operation in Ohio. The role requires strong leadership to drive safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance while developing a high-caliber leadership team.

The ideal candidate has hands-on plant leadership experience in automotive manufacturing, with a track record of implementing Lean principles and achieving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations
• Lead, coach, and develop plant leadership while building organizational bench strength
• Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity
• Establish and maintain a strong culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and operational best practices
• Manage plant financial performance, operating budgets, labor efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives
• Maintain positive employee and labor relations
• Oversee customer quality performance, delivery commitments, and operational escalations
• Partner with engineering, quality, materials, and corporate leadership to execute business objectives
• Support new product launches, process improvements, and manufacturing optimization initiatives
• Drive inventory management, on-time delivery, and operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Support facility growth and long-term operational planning

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead a manufacturing operation in Tuscarawas County, OH.

This position will provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, with responsibility for driving operational performance, developing a strong leadership team, and ensuring the facility meets its safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader with a strong automotive background, experience managing complex operations, and a demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations
• Lead, coach, and develop plant leadership while building organizational bench strength
• Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity
• Establish and maintain a strong culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and operational best practices
• Manage plant financial performance, operating budgets, labor efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives
• Maintain positive employee and labor relations
• Oversee customer quality performance, delivery commitments, and operational escalations
• Partner with engineering, quality, materials, and corporate leadership to execute business objectives
• Support new product launches, process improvements, and manufacturing optimization initiatives
• Drive inventory management, on-time delivery, and operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Support facility growth and long-term operational planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• 7-10+ years of manufacturing management experience
• Previous experience in a Plant Manager or senior manufacturing operations leadership role
• Automotive manufacturing experience required, preferably within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier environment
• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational performance management
• Experience managing a unionized workforce preferred
• Experience with rubber, plastics, extrusion, or related manufacturing processes is a plus
• Strong financial acumen, including plant budgets, cost management, and operational KPIs
• Experience driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and productivity
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills
• Ability to partner effectively with senior executive leadership and cross-functional teams