Plant Manager

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters is seeking a technically savvy Plant Manager to lead polymer extrusion operations, focusing on safety, quality and continuous improvement.

You will drive production efficiency across multiple extrusion lines, own budget and P&L, mentor supervisors and maintenance staff, and champion Lean/Six Sigma to reduce downtime and speed changeovers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Plastics) or a related technical field is preferred.
• 7+ years in a manufacturing leadership role within polymer extrusion preferred.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities

• Drive Production Excellence: manage daily operations of multiple extrusion lines to meet production targets with quality standards.
• Oversee material blending, die setups, and cooling parameters; discuss polymer rheology and troubleshooting.
• Lead & mentor production supervisors, maintenance techs, and operators to foster accountability and growth.
• Budget & P&L ownership: manage labor costs, material waste, and CAPEX projects.
• Ensure 100% OSHA compliance and uphold internal safety protocols.

Job description

Plant Manager | Polymer Extrusion Facility

We are seeking a technically savvy Plant Manager to lead our polymer extrusion operations. If you’re the kind of leader who knows that a plant runs on both high-performance machinery and high-performing people, we want to talk to you.

As the Plant Manager, you won't just be overseeing a floor; you’ll be the architect of our production efficiency, the guardian of our safety culture, and the driver of continuous improvement.

The Role: What You’ll Do

• Drive Production Excellence: Manage the daily operations of multiple extrusion lines to meet (and exceed) production targets while maintaining strict quality standards.
• Optimize Technical Processes: Oversee material blending, die setups, and cooling parameters. You should be comfortable "talking shop" regarding polymer rheology and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Lead & Mentor: Foster a culture of accountability and professional growth across production supervisors, maintenance tech, and operators.
• Budget & P&L Ownership: Manage the plant’s bottom line, including labor costs, raw material waste (scrap reduction), and CAPEX projects.
• Safety First: Ensure 100% compliance with OSHA standards and internal safety protocols. No product is worth a person’s well-being.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies to reduce downtime and optimize changeover speeds.

What You Bring to the Table

• Experience: 7+ years in a manufacturing leadership role, specifically within polymer extrusion (profile, sheet, film, or tubing).
• Technical Knowledge: A deep understanding of single/twin-screw extruders, downstream equipment, and resin behavior (PE, PP, PVC, etc.).
• Problem-Solving Skills: You don't just see a bottleneck; you find the root cause and fix it permanently.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Plastics) or a related technical field is preferred.
• Communication: The ability to explain complex technical issues to stakeholders and motivate a diverse workforce on the floor.