Plant Manager

PeopleSuite Talent Solutions; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

PeopleSuite Talent Solutions seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, drive safety, quality, service, productivity, and financial results. You will develop strategic operating plans, oversee planning and resources, and collaborate across Sales, Customer Service, and Operations to optimize plant performance.

The role requires strong leadership, 5+ years in manufacturing management, and expertise in Lean/Six Sigma to foster continuous improvement and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent education and relevant plant management experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of operations supervisory or management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Operational Excellence, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for daily manufacturing operations, ensuring production, quality, customer service, cost, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Develop and execute strategic and tactical plant operating plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee production planning and resource allocation to meet customer requirements and production schedules.
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to maximize plant capacity, utilization, and responsiveness to customer needs.
• Lead plant initiatives involving new equipment, molds, processes, and other operational projects.
• Promote a collaborative, team-oriented environment with open communication across all levels of the organization.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement strategies across production and cross-functional departments.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Cross-functional teams

Lean Six Sigma

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for driving performance across safety, quality, production, customer service, cost management, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

The Plant Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the facility consistently achieves its safety, quality, service, productivity, and financial objectives. This individual will lead plant personnel, optimize the use of equipment and resources, develop high-performing teams, and implement continuous improvement initiatives that support both short- and long-term business goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for daily manufacturing operations, ensuring production, quality, customer service, cost, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Develop and execute strategic and tactical plant operating plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee production planning and resource allocation to ensure customer requirements and production schedules are met.
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to maximize plant capacity, utilization, and responsiveness to customer needs.
• Lead plant initiatives involving new equipment, molds, processes, and other operational projects.
• Promote a collaborative, team-oriented environment with open communication across all levels of the organization.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all established safety, health, quality, GMP, company, and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Lead plant safety initiatives, including safety training, meetings, audits, employee involvement programs, and corrective actions.
• Build a strong safety culture by driving accountability and encouraging proactive employee participation.

Quality & Customer Service

• Provide leadership for plant quality initiatives and ensure products consistently meet company and customer requirements.
• Lead corrective actions resulting from customer complaints, internal quality issues, and audit findings.
• Support new product qualifications and participate in internal and external quality system audits.
• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships while identifying opportunities to improve service, processes, and supply chain efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Develop and execute continuous improvement strategies that support short- and long-term plant objectives.
• Drive Operational Excellence initiatives across production and cross-functional departments.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to optimize equipment, processes, materials, labor utilization, and overall plant performance.
• Review departmental operating results and ensure plant costs remain within established budgetary targets.
• Manage plant resources to improve productivity, control costs, and support profitability objectives.
• Participate in monthly, quarterly, and year-end physical inventories in accordance with company guidelines.
• Lead the selection, training, development, and performance management of plant leadership, shift, and staff personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability while developing employees to support organizational and operational goals.
• Foster teamwork, employee engagement, professional development, and effective communication throughout the facility.
• Collaborate effectively with internal departments, customers, suppliers, and other business partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent education and relevant plant management experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of operations supervisory or management experience within a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing safety, quality, production, customer service, cost, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Operational Excellence, or similar continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Strong financial and operational understanding, including budgeting, cost control, production planning, and resource utilization.
• Strong leadership, coaching, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of an organization.
• Strong computer and technology skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and perform effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and build productive relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Ability to maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, as required.