Plant Manager: Lean Operations & Team Growth

Bluewater Hayes Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluewater Hayes Inc. in West Michigan is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead a large manufacturing operation.

You will direct approximately 150 production and office staff, drive Lean initiatives, manage safety, quality, and cost, and partner with Finance to optimize profitability. The ideal candidate will balance strategic planning with day-to-day execution, coach teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong Lean manufacturing experience and continuous improvement mindset.
• Solid understanding of production planning, quality, cost control, and operational performance.
• Excellent communication and ability to coach, mentor and develop teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations across production, quality, maintenance, materials, shipping/receiving, and planning.
• Lead and develop a team of ~150 employees, building a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Establish and execute operational strategies to drive growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive Lean initiatives to improve productivity, reduce costs, and shorten lead times.
• Monitor KPIs and manage budget with cross-functional partners (Finance, HR, Quality, Engineering).
• Foster safety and build a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure effective scheduling, inventory management, and process discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Operations Management

Financial Acumen

Data-driven Decisions

Cross-functional Collaboration

Safety & Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Manufacturing, or related discipline

Job description

Bluewater Hayes Inc. in West Michigan is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead a large manufacturing operation.

You will direct approximately 150 production and office staff, drive Lean initiatives, manage safety, quality, and cost, and partner with Finance to optimize profitability. The ideal candidate will balance strategic planning with day-to-day execution, coach teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the site.