Plant Manager I

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

Job summary

Xylem in Rockford, Illinois is seeking a hands-on Production Manager to lead a multi-disciplinary manufacturing team on site. You will oversee safety, quality, and efficiency to meet aggressive production goals while maintaining a safe, compliant workplace.

Responsibilities include setting clear KPIs, coaching staff, coordinating with cross-functional partners, managing budgets, and driving continuous improvement across planning, scheduling, and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in a relevant field with 5+ years of experience and 5+ years of people management experience.
• Background in quality control, continuous improvement, or related experience preferred
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to identify issues and translate data into actions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear reporting and collaboration
• End-to-end project management and resource allocation experience for production initiatives

Responsibilities

• Champion a safety-first culture by setting expectations and ensuring compliance with safety regulations and site procedures.
• Lead, coach, and develop a production team with clear goals and KPIs; monitor safety, quality, productivity, and engagement.
• Review, approve and optimize production schedules; coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment and timely task completion.
• Reinforce quality standards; conduct inspections; identify and resolve issues affecting quality or performance; implement corrective actions.
• Develop and manage the production budget; identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and reliability.
• Communicate production updates and risks to senior leadership; prepare reports on metrics and trends; facilitate cross-department coordination.

Skills

People management

Quality control

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Communication skills

Resource allocation

Project management

Engineering degree

Education

Bachelor's in engineering

Job description

Onsite

Rockford, Illinois

Full time

R50299

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Responsibilities:

Safety and Compliance

• Champion a safety-first culture by setting clear expectations, modeling safe behaviors, and ensuring employees understand and follow all safety requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations, company protocols, industry standards, and site procedures.
• Conduct regular safety inspections, address hazards promptly, and implement corrective actions to continuously improve workplace safety.
• Partner closely with EHS, quality, and operations teams to strengthen safety practices, compliance processes, and employee awareness.
• Maintain accurate safety and compliance documentation and ensure required training is completed and reinforced.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a production team by providing clear direction, regular feedback, and meaningful support.
• Set expectations, goals, and KPIs for team members and monitor performance against safety, quality, productivity, and engagement objectives.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and collaborative work environment where employees are empowered to contribute ideas and solve problems.
• Identify training and development opportunities to build team capability, strengthen bench strength, and support continuous learning.
• Promote open communication, employee engagement, and a culture of ownership across the production team.

Planning and Organizing

• Review, approve and modify production schedules and timelines to support business priorities and customer commitments.
• Coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure timely completion of tasks and alignment across departments.
• Monitor and adjust production processes to meet deadlines, improve flow, reduce cost improve overall safety
• Develop and implement efficient production strategies that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Ensure effective allocation of resources, materials, and equipment to support production goals.

Quality Control

• Reinforce quality standards for production processes and finished products.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure products meet required specifications and customer expectations.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues that may affect product quality or operational performance.
• Implement corrective actions to improve quality, reduce variation, and increase efficiency.
• Collaborate with the quality team to address concerns and drive sustainable improvements.

Budget and Cost Management

• Develop and manage the production budget in alignment with business objectives.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety, quality, and reliability standards.
• Monitor and control production expenses, escalating risks and opportunities as appropriate.
• Partner with suppliers and vendors to support competitive pricing, service levels, and operational needs.
• Analyze production costs and recommend improvements that support productivity and financial performance.

Communication and Reporting

• Communicate production updates, priorities, risks, and progress to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Prepare and present reports on production metrics, safety performance, quality results, and operational trends.
• Facilitate effective communication between departments involved in production planning and execution.
• Address production-related issues with urgency, sound judgment, and practical solutions.
• Implement communication strategies that improve alignment, accountability, and operational efficiency.

High Impact Behaviors:

• Strategic Decision Making: A manager must be able to assess complex situations, consider long-term implications, and make decisions that align with the organization’s vision and goals. This involves critical thinking, foresight, and the ability to balance various stakeholders’ interests.
• Effective Communication: Clear and transparent communication is vital for a manager. This includes articulating vision, expectations, and feedback in a way that motivates and engages team members. It also involves active listening and openness to input from all levels of the organization.
• Fostering Team Growth: A high impact manager invests in the development of their team members. This behavior includes mentoring, providing opportunities for professional growth, and creating an environment where continuous learning is encouraged and valued.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in engineering, preferably Chemical, Mechanical or Industrial, or a related field, with at least 5 years of relevant experience and 5+ years of people management experience, or equivalent work experience that provides exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.
• Background in quality control, continuous improvement, or related experience preferred
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to identify issues, interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and persuasively.
• Resource Allocation: Balance competing priorities and adapt as needed.
• End-to-end Project Management: Lead improvement projects from initiation to completion. Monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure timely delivery of measurable results.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Aff…?

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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Inclusion and Belonging at Xylem

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