Plant Manager

Justrite Manufacturing Co LLC; Mattoon (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Justrite Safety Group seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a metal fabrication site. You’ll drive Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People (SQDCP) while aligning with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance and EHS to stabilize schedules and improve throughput.

You will champion Lean/CI, develop supervisors and managers, and own cost drivers with a focus on on-time delivery. A strong safety culture and ERP/MRP fluency are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in metal fabrication and/or machining operations (CNC and fab processes).
• Demonstrated success improving SQDCP performance using Lean/CI methods.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP environments and production reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own site safety performance: eliminate hazards, near-miss reporting, corrective action closure.
• Ensure OSHA/compliance, required training, PPE, and audit readiness.
• Lead incident investigations and implement sustainable countermeasures.
• Deliver daily/weekly production plan attainment with schedule stability.
• Manage labor and staffing plans to meet output and service-level targets.
• Coordinate shipping priorities with Customer Service and Supply Chain.
• Partner with Maintenance for preventive maintenance and reliability improvements.
• Lead Lean/CI initiatives across fabrication and machining.
• Use data-driven problem solving (A3, 5-Why) to improve throughput and OEE.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean/CI methodologies

Data-driven problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

ISO 9001 knowledge

Black Belt certification

Job description

About Justrite Safety Group

At Justrite Safety Group, we're more than just a collection of industrial safety companies; we're a dynamic organization dedicated to protecting people, property, and the planet. Our ever-growing portfolio of companies collaborates to deliver advanced industrial safety solutions that set the standard for excellence.

As our business continues to grow, we continue to look for top talent to join our team as we lead the charge in revolutionizing industrial safety, ensuring that every worker returns home safe, every workplace remains secure, and our environment thrives for generations to come. With Justrite Safety Group, safety isn't just a priority-it's our passion.

The Contribution You'll bring to this Role:

The Plant Manager is a strategic plant leadership role accountable for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of one of the Justrite sites responsible for metal fabrication. This role leads daily execution across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) and ensures finished goods are produced to plan to support customer service and inventory targets.

The Plant Manager partners closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and EHS to stabilize schedules, improve throughput, reduce scrap and rework, and sustain standard work. While there is no centralized warehouse, the Plant Manager ensures effective on-site staging, WIP control, and shipping coordination to support on-time delivery.

About the Team:

As a member of our Operations team, you will be dedicated to driving efficiency and excellence across all aspects of our business. With a focus on streamlined processes and innovative solutions, they ensure that our operations run smoothly and effectively. Comprised of skilled professionals who are leaders in their field, the team is committed to optimizing performance and delivering high-quality results. Their expertise is key to maintaining our competitive edge and supporting the growth and success of our company.

What You'll Do at Justrite:

Safety, Environmental, and Compliance

• Own site safety performance: eliminate hazards, strengthen near-miss reporting, and ensure timely corrective action closure.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA/local regulations, required training, PPE, and audit readiness.

• Lead incident investigations and implement sustainable countermeasures.

Operations and Delivery Performance

• Deliver daily and weekly production plan attainment while maintaining schedule stability and rapid issue escalation.

• Manage labor and staffing plans (shift coverage, overtime, cross-training) to meet output and service-level targets.

• Coordinate shipping priorities and finished goods readiness with Customer Service and Supply Chain.

Quality and Process Control

• Ensure product conformance to specifications; partner with Quality on containment, root cause, and corrective actions.

• Reduce scrap and rework through process controls, mistake-proofing, training, and layered process audits as applicable.

Reliability and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Maintenance to drive preventive maintenance compliance, uptime, and reliability improvements (TPM where applicable).

• Lead Lean/CI initiatives (5S, standard work, setup reduction, flow improvements) across fabrication and machining.

• Use data-driven problem solving (A3, 5-Why) to improve throughput, OEE, and constraint performance.

People Leadership and Cost Management

• Create and deliver on operational plans to achieve budget

• Develop and coach supervisors, managers, and team leads; set expectations, build accountability, and strengthen engagement.

• Own controllable cost drivers (labor, overtime, scrap/rework, supplies) and deliver annual operating plan targets.

• Identify and justify capital, tooling, and automation opportunities with strong ROI.

Key Interfaces

• Supply Chain (S&OP, production planning, material availability, inventory targets, expedites)

• Quality (supplier/customer issues, corrective actions, audits)

• Engineering (process improvements, routings/BOM alignment, tooling/fixtures)

• Maintenance (preventive maintenance, downtime root cause, reliability)

• EHS (training, compliance, risk assessments)

Key Performance Indicators (Typical)

• Safety: TRIR/recordables, near-miss reporting, corrective action closure

• Delivery: schedule attainment, plan adherence, on-time shipment performance

• Quality: scrap and rework rates, customer complaints/returns, internal defect rate

• Productivity: OEE or key equipment uptime, labor efficiency, throughput, setup/changeover time

• Cost: overtime, conversion cost per unit, premium freight driven by site issues

• People: turnover/attendance, training completion, engagement actions

Your Skills and Expertise:

To ensure your success from day one in this role, Justrite requires the following qualifications at a minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including leadership of supervisors and production teams.

• Experience in metal fabrication and/or machining operations (CNC and fab processes).

• Demonstrated success improving SQDCP performance using Lean/CI methods.

• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP environments and production reporting.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Experience in make-to-stock environments with finished goods availability targets and replenishment planning.

• Black Belt certification or equivalent practical experience.

• Experience coordinating outside processing/special processes (heat treat, coating/plating, paint) as applicable.

• Experience with ISO 9001 or similar quality systems.

Compensation:

The position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $180,000 to $190,000. This role offers relocation assistance.

Actual base salaries will vary and may be above or below the recommended pay range based on factors such as but not limited to location, relevant experience and performance. Additionally, this role is eligible for an annual incentive plan to enhance their overall total compensation package when Justrite Safety Group and their business units achieve annual business and financial targets.

Benefits:

Our benefits package at Justrite Safety Group is designed to be the best in the industry, offering everything you need to support your career and personal well-being. You'll receive a competitive salary paired with an extensive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. We provide flexible hours and alternative work arrangements designed to support a healthy work-life balance. These options vary depending on the specific roles and business needs.

Your financial future is secure with our 401K plan, complete with a company match, and you're protected with company-paid short and long-term disability insurance. To ensure you're at your best, we also offer generous paid time off, personal days, and a robust employee wellness program that supports your overall health and happiness.

At Justrite, our benefits package is designed to help you thrive both in and out of the workplace.

Why Choose Justrite Safety Group?

As a leading name in the safety industry, Justrite provides a platform where you can collaborate with some of the best professionals in the field, learning from experts and contributing to cutting-edge solutions. The company's commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that you'll be part of a team that is making a real impact. With a strong focus on career advancement, Justrite empowers its employees to thrive both personally and professionally, making it an ideal workplace for those looking to grow their careers in a meaningful and rewarding environment.

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to product excellence and making a positive impact in our company, and in our community!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.