Plant Manager

Gates Corporation; Salem (NH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-Time

Bonus Eligible

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

3 weeks vacation

8 sick days

11 paid holidays

401(k) matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Gates Corporation in Salem, NH, is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all plant operations across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics and Supply Chain. This role drives SQDCI performance, safety, quality, delivery, cost and inventory through disciplined Daily Management Systems and the Gates Production System.

You will develop a high‑performing leadership team, partner with Commercial, Engineering, and Finance, manage P&L, budgeting, and capital investments, positioning the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (MBA a plus).
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience with at least 5 years in plant/operations leadership.
• Experience with Daily Management Systems, Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L, budgeting, cost performance and productivity management.
• Proven ability to lead people, develop leaders and drive accountability.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Supply Chain.
• Drive SQDCI performance through Daily Management Systems and KPI reviews.
• Own plant financials including P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and cost improvement.
• Champion safety and quality culture focused on risk reduction and compliance.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement to improve productivity and stability.
• Drive structured problem solving and prioritize key improvement initiatives.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team with accountability.
• Partner across Commercial, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and HR.
• Lead major initiatives including new product introductions, capex, and capacity expansion.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Operations management

Financial acumen

Problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Team development

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

WHAT TO EXPECT

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward thinking, open-minded and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. Located in our Salem, NH plant, you will be a Plant Manager.

The Plant Manager will lead the overall performance and direction of our Gates Power Transmission manufacturing facility. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader who is passionate about developing people, strengthening operations, and driving measurable business results.

With responsibility across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Supply Chain, the Plant Manager will lead a cross-functional organization and drive performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI), along with the financial performance of the facility.

Through the Gates Production System (GPS) and a disciplined Daily Management System (DMS), this leader will build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be a visible, hands-on leader who can develop strong teams, solve complex operational challenges, and position the facility for sustainable long-term performance.

Key responsibilities (to name a few):

• Lead all plant operations, including Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Supply Chain, to achieve Annual Operating Plan and business objectives.
• Drive plant performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI) through disciplined Daily Management Systems, KPI reviews, and Leader Standard Work.
• Own plant financial performance, including P&L, productivity, absorption, budgeting, forecasting, and cost improvement.
• Champion a strong safety and quality culture focused on risk reduction, defect prevention, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts to improve productivity, equipment utilization, process stability, and overall operational performance.
• Drive structured problem solving and prioritize key improvement initiatives based on operational and financial impact.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team while strengthening accountability, ownership, and succession planning.
• Partner across Commercial, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources to support business and customer objectives.
• Lead major operational initiatives, including new product introductions, capital investments, capacity expansion, and process improvement.
• Align plant priorities with broader business strategy and deploy best practices across the organization.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor's degree required; Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field preferred. MBA is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 5 years in plant or operations leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading Daily Management Systems, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing plant P&L, budgeting, cost performance, productivity, and absorption.
• Proven success improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI) performance through data-driven decision-making and structured problem solving.
• Strong people leadership skills with experience developing leaders, building accountability, and driving organizational performance.
• Ability to lead cultural and operational change while balancing business priorities, customer expectations, and long-term performance goals.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

BENEFITS

• Full-Time
• Bonus Eligible
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options:
  • Benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation, additionally 8 sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• 401(k): company matching up to 6%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.