Plant Manager: Lean Ops, Safety & Quality Champion

Mativ; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mativ is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all manufacturing operations at Tekra's production facility in Wisconsin. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity, while leading lean initiatives and cross-functional teams to meet customer needs and financial goals.

The role requires extensive leadership in production planning, safety, quality management, and continuous improvement, with collaboration across departments and a focus on cost control and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct all plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer requirements and business goals.
• Monitor manufacturing performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure efficient utilization of labor, equipment, materials, and facility resources.
• Lead daily production meetings and establish accountability for departmental performance.
• Foster a culture of safety and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead safety initiatives, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Partner with leadership to reduce workplace injuries and strengthen employee engagement in safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain a strong quality culture focused on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Quality leadership to ensure products meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to quality issues, customer complaints, and production variances.
• Support audits, certifications, and continuous improvement of quality management systems.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, reduce waste, improve yield, and optimize operating costs.
• Utilize data and analytics to monitor plant performance and make informed operational decisions.
• Lead capital improvement projects and process enhancement initiatives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for production managers and operations team members.
• Build a high-performance culture based on accountability, teamwork, communication, and employee engagement.
• Collaborate with Human Resources on workforce planning, employee relations, training, and succession planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee development initiatives.
• Develop and manage plant operating budgets.
• Monitor labor, material, maintenance, and overhead costs.
• Identify and implement cost savings opportunities without compromising safety, quality, or customer service.
• Contribute to annual business planning and strategic initiatives.
• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales, and Product Development teams.
• Support new product introductions and process transfers.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Team Leadership

Problem Solving

ERP Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Manufacturing software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mativ is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all manufacturing operations at Tekra's production facility in Wisconsin. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity, while leading lean initiatives and cross-functional teams to meet customer needs and financial goals.

The role requires extensive leadership in production planning, safety, quality management, and continuous improvement, with collaboration across departments and a focus on cost control and operational excellence.