Plant Manager: Lean Ops Leader for Manufacturing

HSM; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

HSM in Hickory, NC seeks an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations across foam cutting, fabrication, packaging, and shipping. You will develop operating plans aligning plant performance with business goals and customer needs, driving efficiency and safety across the site.

The role requires 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, with a background in high-volume environments such as automotive or furniture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Previous Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or similar leadership experience strongly preferred
• Experience in transportation, automotive, engineered products, furniture, bedding, or another high-volume manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, and continuous improvement
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, labor optimization, ERP/MRP systems, and operational performance metrics
• Working knowledge of CNC cutting, fabrication, assembly, material flow, warehousing, and shipping operations
• Understanding of maintenance, capital equipment planning, automation, and manufacturing technology improvements

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, including foam cutting, fabrication, kitting, packaging, shipping, and supporting production activities
• Develop and execute operating plans that align plant performance with business objectives and customer needs
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, 5S, and waste elimination
• Optimize production scheduling, labor utilization, equipment performance, and material flow to increase throughput and efficiency
• Establish and monitor KPIs to improve productivity, quality, inventory accuracy, and overall plant performance
• Partner with Engineering on new product launches, process improvements, equipment installations, and automation initiatives
• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company requirements
• Support ISO 9001 requirements while advancing automotive readiness through IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 principles

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

5S

Process optimization

ERP/MRP familiarity

Team development

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP

CNC cutting

Production scheduling

Inventory management

Automation

Job description

HSM in Hickory, NC seeks an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations across foam cutting, fabrication, packaging, and shipping. You will develop operating plans aligning plant performance with business goals and customer needs, driving efficiency and safety across the site.

The role requires 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, with a background in high-volume environments such as automotive or furniture.