Plant Manager

Ecore Athletic; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecore International in Lancaster, PA is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead all site operations, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, maintenance, and employee development. You will build a high-performing team and drive accountability in a culture of continuous improvement.

As a servant leader, you will partner across Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Customer Service, and Finance to achieve world-class results, while coaching supervisors and managers to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent leadership experience.
• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years in a Plant Manager or equivalent role.
• Experience with ERP/MRP for production scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets across the site.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and department leaders.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, 6S and continuous improvement.
• Manage budgets, maintenance, and capital projects.
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Finance.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Communication

Problem solving

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering/Business/Operations Management

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Lead a High-Performing Manufacturing Operation and Drive Operational Excellence

Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives on building strong teams, improving performance, and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement? We are seeking a Plant Manager to lead all aspects of site operations, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, maintenance, and employee development.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in a close-knit manufacturing environment where leadership matters, employee engagement is valued, and continuous improvement is part of the culture. We're looking for a servant leader who is willing to roll up their sleeves, develop people, challenge the status quo, and drive measurable business results.

What You'll Do

As Plant Manager, you will have full responsibility for the performance of the facility and will lead efforts to achieve world-class results in:

• Safety performance and employee engagement
• Product quality and customer satisfaction
• On-time delivery and schedule attainment
• Cost control and operational efficiency
• Maintenance and facility reliability
• Continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives

You will lead a team of supervisors and managers while partnering closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Customer Service, and Finance to ensure the site consistently meets customer expectations and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are achieved.
• Develop, coach, and mentor supervisors and department leaders.
• Foster a culture built on accountability, trust, teamwork, and servant leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 6S, and other operational excellence tools.
• Monitor and improve key performance metrics, including Quality, Delivery, and Cost (QDC).
• Oversee production scheduling, capacity planning, labor utilization, and inventory management.
• Ensure maintenance programs support operational reliability and uptime.
• Manage plant budgets, capital projects, labor expenses, and maintenance costs.
• Conduct regular Gemba walks, safety reviews, audits, and performance discussions.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and company safety standards.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Planning teams to support customer demand and on-time delivery goals.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or comparable site leader.
• Proven success leading salaried supervisors and managers in a multi-shift manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated track record of improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems for production scheduling, inventory, and shop floor operations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor, maintenance, and capital budgets.
• Knowledge of production scheduling, capacity planning, and manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of OSHA and environmental compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading operational turnarounds or transformational change initiatives.
• Background in manufacturing environments involving assembly, metal fabrication, sheet metal, packaging, mechanical components, fasteners, or related industrial products.
• Experience driving cultural transformation and employee engagement initiatives.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be:

• A servant leader who develops people and builds strong teams.
• A culture builder capable of leading organizational change.
• A proactive problem solver who challenges convention and drives improvement.
• A leader who creates accountability rather than simply managing tasks.
• Equally comfortable on the production floor and in strategic planning discussions.
• Focused on measurable results while maintaining a people-first approach.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a highly visible manufacturing operation.
• Strong support from executive leadership.
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture.
• Ability to drive operational improvements and leave a lasting impact.
• Opportunity to develop employees, strengthen culture, and improve business performance.