Plant Manager

Insight Global; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global in Naperville, IL, seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a small, autonomous operation focused on safety, quality, and on-time delivery for a made-to-order manufacturing environment.

You will drive Lean initiatives, manage a compact team, coordinate with Product Management, Supply Chain, and Corporate Procurement, and develop the workforce while maintaining a strong safety culture. This role requires travel about 10% to training and meetings in Hilliard, Ohio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree OR significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Prior Plant Manager experience preferred, but strong production/manufacturing leaders ready for a first Plant Manager opportunity will be considered.
• Proven ability to lead small teams, build trust, and gain employee buy-in.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing plant budgets, inventory, procurement, and operations.
• Strong operational knowledge and Lean manufacturing experience.
• Ability to coach and develop employees while holding teams accountable.
• Proficiency with Excel and general computer skills.
• Ability to navigate difficult conversations and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Product Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Corporate Procurement.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% for training and meetings (Hilliard, Ohio)

Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day plant operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Manage a small team consisting of operators, a supervisor, and a product engineer.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean principles and operational metrics.
• Oversee budgeting, inventory management, purchasing, and production planning.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management since products are customized and made-to-order.
• Participate in bi-weekly/monthly meetings with Corporate Procurement regarding materials and supplier management.
• Ensure production schedules, customer commitments, and inventory levels are aligned.
• Continue building and maintaining the strong safety culture established at the facility.
• Develop employees, improve accountability, and strengthen leadership across the operation.
• Support assembly and production processes involving filter bags, metal tubing, light welding, and light assembly work.
• Monitor procurement lead times and stay ahead of material ordering to support business growth.
• Act as the primary operational leader responsible for overall plant performance and business results.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Lean manufacturing

Excel

Cross-functional work

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Inventory management

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Job description

Hours:

Generally Monday-Thursday (4x10 schedule for hourly workforce); occasional Friday half-days as needed

Interview Process:

Initial phone screen. If successful, candidate will visit the facility for onsite interviews.

Additional Information:

• Very small operation with only 7 total employees (4 operators, 1 supervisor, 1 product engineer, and the Plant Manager).
• Plant recently celebrated 6 years without a safety incident.
• Products are a made-to-order operation requiring close collaboration with Product Management and customers.
• Plant operates with a high level of autonomy and essentially runs as its own business unit.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree OR significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Prior Plant Manager experience preferred, but strong production/manufacturing leaders ready for a first Plant Manager opportunity will be considered.
• Proven ability to lead small teams, build trust, and gain employee buy-in.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing plant budgets, inventory, procurement, and operations.
• Strong operational knowledge and Lean manufacturing experience.
• Ability to coach and develop employees while holding teams accountable.
• Proficiency with Excel and general computer skills.
• Ability to navigate difficult conversations and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Product Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Corporate Procurement.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% for training and meetings (Hilliard, Ohio)

Plusses:

• Experience with custom, made-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Procurement or supply chain experience, particularly with overseas suppliers.
• Background in small-plant leadership where leaders wear multiple hats.
• Experience with inventory planning and managing long procurement lead times.

Day to Day:

• Lead all day-to-day plant operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Manage a small team consisting of operators, a supervisor, and a product engineer.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean principles and operational metrics.
• Oversee budgeting, inventory management, purchasing, and production planning.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management since products are customized and made-to-order.
• Participate in bi-weekly/monthly meetings with Corporate Procurement regarding materials and supplier management.
• Ensure production schedules, customer commitments, and inventory levels are aligned.
• Continue building and maintaining the strong safety culture established at the facility.
• Develop employees, improve accountability, and strengthen leadership across the operation.
• Support assembly and production processes involving filter bags, metal tubing, light welding, and light assembly work.
• Monitor procurement lead times and stay ahead of material ordering to support business growth.
• Act as the primary operational leader responsible for overall plant performance and business results.