Plant Manager

Silgan Dispensing; Watertown (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Silgan Dispensing has a Connecticut campus leadership opportunity driving overall performance, strategic direction, and profitability. You will lead the leaders of Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Operations, with accountability for EHS, Engineering, Maintenance, HR, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role requires a hands-on, data-driven leader who aligns cross-functional teams to deliver safe, high-quality production, optimize costs, and foster a culture of continuous

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership with P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading multi-functional teams across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering.
• Experience with 100-250+ employees and injection molding/high-speed automation environments.
• Strong financial, budgeting, and cost-control capabilities.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and continuous improvement programs.

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain a high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead campus operations to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, profitability, and cash flow goals.
• Develop and execute strategic and operating plans aligned with growth.
• Prepare and manage site budgets and control costs.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and standardized processes across sites.
• Oversee production ensuring safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to strengthen relationships and resolve issues.
• Partner with Engineering and NPD for launches and capital projects.
• Evaluate investments in technology and equipment to improve performance.
• Foster cross-site collaboration and sharing best practices.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor leaders; build succession plans.
• Ensure compliance with policies, Code of Conduct, and regulations.
• Champion EHS, Quality, and Lean initiatives for operational excellence.
• Monitor KPIs: safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, waste, profit, cash flow.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Financial acumen

Lean manufacturing

People development

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

ABOUT SILGAN DISPENSING

Silgan Dispensing Systems is a growing global company with operations in over 10 countries where we develop dispensing solutions for iconic brands in the beauty, fragrance, personal care, home, and healthcare markets. The dispensers we manufacture can be found on some of your favorite products. When you spray your kitchen counter, wash your hair, or put on your favorite perfume there's a good chance you're using a sprayer, pump or closure we make!! We help brands enhance peoples' lives through our innovative solutions that make dispensing easier, more comfortable, and more sustainable.

At Silgan Dispensing, you can expect an open, safe, and welcoming workplace with team members who are committed to our values. We are customer-oriented, innovative, driven to excel, respectful, inclusive, and sustainably focused. We are guided by our belief that we do our best work when we work as One Team.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Connecticut Campus Operations Leader is responsible for the overall performance, strategic direction, and profitability of a complex multi-site, multi-P&L manufacturing campus. Reporting directly to this role are the leaders of Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Operations, with overall accountability for all campus functions including EHS, Engineering, Maintenance, Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, Purchasing, Warehousing & Logistics, Finance, and Customer Relations.

As the senior site leader, this role drives operational excellence, financial performance, customer satisfaction, and workforce development while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. The position is responsible for achieving operating profit, cash flow, productivity, quality, delivery, and service objectives while ensuring efficient utilization of resources and assets.

This leader ensures compliance with the Silgan Dispensing Systems (SDS) Code of Conduct, company policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, strategic leadership, and the ability to align cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable growth, operational excellence, and exceptional customer outcomes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and sustain a high-performance culture that promotes accountability, employee engagement, leadership development, and continuous improvement.
• Lead all aspects of campus operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, profitability, and cash flow objectives.
• Develop and execute strategic and annual operating plans that support business growth and organizational goals.
• Prepare and manage site budgets, ensuring effective cost control and achievement of financial commitments.
• Drive operational excellence through the implementation of standardized processes, performance management systems, and Lean manufacturing principles.
• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting customer, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Partner with commercial teams to strengthen customer relationships, resolve issues, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Engineering and New Product Development teams to ensure successful execution of new product launches and capital projects.
• Evaluate and recommend investments in technology, equipment, and systems that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Foster strong communication and collaboration across sites and corporate functions while sharing best practices throughout the organization.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor leaders and employees to build organizational capability and support succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, the SDS Code of Conduct, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Champion Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Quality, and Lean initiatives, establishing a culture focused on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and employee well-being.
• Monitor and drive key performance indicators, including safety, quality, customer satisfaction, delivery performance, productivity, inventory management, waste reduction, operating profit, and cash flow.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including plant or general management responsibility within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-functional teams across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Customer Service, and Continuous Improvement.
• Experience managing manufacturing operations with 100-250+ employees and full P&L accountability.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in injection molding and high-speed automated assembly manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of injection molding processes, tooling, polymers, and manufacturing technologies.
• Proven track record of implementing Operational Excellence methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 6S, Standard Work, and Continuous Improvement programs.
• Experience leading organizational change, driving cultural transformation, and implementing strategic business initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze operating results, manage budgets, and drive profitability through operational improvements.
• Experience supporting New Product Development and successfully launching new products into production.
• Thorough understanding of Quality Systems, SPC, GMP, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively within a matrix organization and across multiple sites.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making and sustainable business results.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing teams while building organizational capability and succession pipelines.
• Hands‑on leader capable of balancing strategic planning with tactical execution and operational discipline.
• Commitment to industry benchmarking, technology adoption, and innovation to create a resilient, future‑ready manufacturing operation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, including domestic and international travel.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.