Plant Manager

Beacon Search Group; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Search Group is partnering with an established automotive manufacturer to identify an experienced Plant Manager. The role requires a hands-on, floor-focused leader who engages daily with employees and drives measurable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

The successful candidate will lead an operational turnaround, mentor leadership, and work cross-functionally to meet financial and customer objectives on the plant floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Technology, or related field.
• 10-15 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 5 years in plant management or large-scale leadership.
• Proven track record turning around underperforming automotive manufacturing operations.
• Improved productivity, quality, delivery, labor efficiency, and profitability.
• Strong experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and operational performance management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and developing frontline leadership.
• Ability to make difficult decisions, establish accountability, and drive change.
• Hands-on shop-floor presence and approachable leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational turnaround of an automotive manufacturing facility, identifying performance gaps and implementing sustainable improvement strategies.
• Assess production efficiency, staffing, scrap, downtime, quality, and operating costs to develop a structured improvement plan.
• Drive accountability and performance across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, HR, and EHS.
• Establish daily management practices, performance metrics, visual management systems, and structured problem-solving processes.
• Develop and mentor plant leadership, supervisors, and employees while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong customer relationships while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives are achieved.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Root-Cause Analysis

Operational Performance Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Related Field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Beacon Search Group is partnering with an established automotive manufacturing organization seeking an experienced, results-driven Plant Manager.

We are seeking a hands-on, floor-focused leader who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, identifying problems firsthand, and driving meaningful change. This is not a position for someone who manages strictly from an office. The successful candidate will be highly visible on the plant floor, actively engaged with employees, and capable of delivering measurable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational turnaround of an automotive manufacturing facility, identifying performance gaps and implementing sustainable improvement strategies.
• Assess production efficiency, staffing, scrap, downtime, quality, and operating costs to develop and execute a structured improvement plan.
• Drive accountability and performance across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, HR, and EHS.
• Establish effective daily management practices, performance metrics, visual management systems, and structured problem-solving processes.
• Develop and mentor plant leadership, supervisors, and employees while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong customer relationships while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives are achieved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Technology, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10-15 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 5 years in plant management or large-scale operations leadership.
• Proven track record of successfully turning around underperforming automotive manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success improving key operational metrics, including productivity, quality, delivery, labor efficiency, and profitability.
• Strong experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, and operational performance management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and developing strong frontline leadership.
• Ability to make difficult decisions, establish accountability, and drive organizational change.
• Strong shop-floor presence with a hands-on, approachable leadership style.