Plant Manager

Komline Sanderson; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Komline Sanderson in Rockford, IL seeks a Plant Manager to lead all manufacturing operations with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, and productivity. You will drive continuous improvement and develop high-performing teams across cross-functional interfaces to meet customer commitments and business goals.

The role emphasizes Lean culture, Kaizen and 6S initiatives, with oversight of scheduling, resource allocation, and compliance with OSHA and safety programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience with high-mix, low-volume operations.
• Experience leading large hourly workforces.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, 6S, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with production scheduling, labor planning, and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial performance objectives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability for supervisors and personnel while fostering engagement and continuous improvement.
• Develop production priorities, allocate labor and equipment resources, and optimize capacity to meet delivery commitments.
• Coordinate production schedules with cross-functional teams to respond to changing priorities.
• Monitor plant performance and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Lead workforce planning, recruiting, performance management, and succession planning with HR.
• Champion safety by ensuring OSHA compliance and incident investigations.
• Lead Lean, Kaizen, 6S and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee facility maintenance, equipment reliability, and capital improvements.
• Ensure accurate timekeeping, labor reporting, and scheduling.
• Travel to other Komline locations to share best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

6S

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Production planning software

Microsoft Office

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Indirect Rockford, IL, US

About the Role:

The Plant Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and high-performing production environment. This role drives operational excellence by overseeing production, workforce performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement while partnering with cross-functional teams to meet customer commitments and business objectives. Success in this role is measured by maintaining a strong safety culture, delivering operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and achieving quality, productivity, and on-time delivery goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial performance objectives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability for supervisors, team leaders, and manufacturing personnel while fostering a culture of engagement, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Develop production priorities, allocate labor and equipment resources, and optimize manufacturing capacity to meet customer delivery commitments.
• Partner with Operations, Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Service to coordinate production schedules, resolve operational challenges, and respond to changing business priorities.
• Monitor plant performance through key operational metrics and implement improvements that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve manufacturing flow.
• Lead workforce planning, recruiting, employee development, performance management, and succession planning in partnership with Human Resources.
• Champion a culture of safety by ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, required permits, employee training, incident investigations, and corrective actions while partnering with Corporate Safety to continuously improve plant safety performance.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 6S, and other continuous improvement initiatives that improve operational performance, workplace organization, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
• Oversee facility maintenance, equipment reliability, capital improvements, and contractor activities to maintain a safe and productive manufacturing environment.
• Ensure accurate timekeeping, labor reporting, and workforce scheduling while maintaining compliance with company policies and applicable labor regulations.
• Support purchasing and supplier coordination by ensuring critical materials, equipment, and production resources are available to maintain uninterrupted operations.
• Travel to other Komline locations as needed to support operations, share best practices, and assist with continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• Seven or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for plant operations, production management, or multi-department supervision.
• Experience leading high-mix, low-volume manufacturing operations is preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading large hourly manufacturing workforces in a hands-on production environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 6S, continuous improvement, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Experience managing production scheduling, labor planning, capacity management, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Thorough understanding of OSHA regulations, manufacturing safety programs, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Experience with ERP systems, production planning software, Microsoft Office, and ADP Workforce Now or similar timekeeping/payroll systems preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects while maintaining a high level of responsiveness and accountability.

Other: Physical Requirements, Travel, Supervisory Duties:

• Frequently walk throughout a manufacturing facility, including production areas and outdoor environments.
• Stand, walk, bend, reach, climb stairs, and occasionally climb ladders while monitoring operations.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to travel occasionally between Komline manufacturing locations.
• This position has supervisory responsibilities and direct reports.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Komline is an EEO employer – M/F/Vets/Disabled