Plant Manager

iLocatum; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company located in New Haven, Connecticut, is seeking an experienced leader to oversee plant operations. This role involves managing production teams and ensuring safety, quality, and employee engagement. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement and maintaining high standards across all shifts. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of experience in operations management, preferably within the plastics sector, and demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. The position offers opportunities to make a significant impact on production effectiveness.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of plant or operations management experience within manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading multi-shift operations.
• Strong floor presence to engage and inspire teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of plant operations in a continuous production environment.
• Oversee and coach production supervisors and employees.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to quality and throughput.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Process Management

Communication

Problem-Solving

Lean Methodologies

Job description

Our client is looking for a hands‑on and people‑driven leader to oversee daily operations at a continuous manufacturing site. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, team development, and process management capabilities, with a proven ability to maintain high standards for safety, quality, output, and employee engagement. This is a high‑visibility role that will serve as a critical link between production teams and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of plant operations in a continuous production environment.
• Oversee and coach production supervisors, team leads, and hourly employees across multiple shifts.
• Maintain seamless communication and coordination between crews through structured handoffs, daily briefings, and shift accountability.
• Partner with quality, maintenance, safety, and logistics teams to achieve production and performance goals.
• Ensure facilities and equipment are properly maintained, safe, and compliant with all company and regulatory standards.
• Support capital improvement projects and vendor management in coordination with executive leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to uptime, scrap reduction, quality, and throughput.
• Manage labor planning, scheduling, and overtime to ensure consistent coverage and productivity.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture across all shifts.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to leadership, highlighting trends and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, including off‑hours visits when needed to support shift employees.

Team Building & Culture

• Promote a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and employee recognition.
• Implement training and mentorship programs that drive consistent performance across crews.
• Strengthen employee retention through transparency, trust, and a shared sense of purpose.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of plant or operations management experience within manufacturing; experience in plastics and extrusion is preferred.
• Proven experience leading multi‑shift operations with strong people leadership and cultural impact.
• Demonstrated success improving performance through Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Strong floor presence with the ability to engage, motivate, and inspire teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Hands‑on leadership style balanced with strategic oversight and decision‑making ability.