Plant Manager (Lewiston)

Idaho Forest Group; Lewiston (ID); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho Forest Group in Lewiston, ID seeks a Plant Manager to provide campus-wide leadership from log yard to shipping. You will build and empower high-performing teams while driving a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The role ensures production goals are achieved efficiently and in alignment with IFG policies and standards, with cross-functional collaboration to optimize operations and profitability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel and Outlook for production analysis.
• Willing to work varied shifts, including weekends.
• Able to pass hair follicle drug test and pre-employment checks.
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety policies and cultivate a culture of continuous safety improvements.
• Oversee daily operations across Planer, Sawmill, Log Yard, Boiler/Kilns, Maintenance and Shipping.
• Partner with Sales/Marketing, Procurement, HR, Finance, Engineering to optimize operations.
• Coach, train, and evaluate team members; drive performance.
• Develop and implement optimal production goals and maintenance plans.
• Lead production analysis (root cause, uptime, downtime, metrics) for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Sales & Shipping to track product tallies and needs.
• Manage campus budgets and site-level profit and inventory reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

The Plant Manager at Idaho Forest Group provides strategic, campus-wide leadership across every phase of plant operations—from the log yard through final shipping. This role develops and empowers high-performing teams while driving a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Plant Manager ensures production goals are achieved efficiently and consistently in alignment with IFG policies, procedures, and standards of excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage safety policies, procedures and cultivate a culture for continuous safety improvements.
• Oversee daily/shift operations to include the Planer, Sawmill, Log Yard, Boiler/Kilns, Maintenance and Shipping.
• Partner with other members of management including Sales/Marketing, Log Procurement, Purchasing, HR, Finance, Engineering to ensure efficient business operations.
• Foster proactive leadership and teamwork that enhances IFG culture and standards.
• Collaborate with HR and other members of management on operational and people related matters.
• Train, coach, evaluate and counsel team members.
• Communicate in an effective and timely manner.
• Develop, communicate, and implement optimal production goals.
• Ensure a culture of preventative and proactive maintenance.
• Lead teams in regular production analysis, i.e. root cause, for continuous improvement including production metrics, recovery, optimization, uptime, downtime, etc...
• Work closely with sales & shipping departments to track product tallies and sales needs.
• Ensure the entire campus is consistently clean.
• Manage & oversee improvement projects.
• Evaluate and calculate ROI opportunities for capital improvements.
• Partner with Finance team and other management to create and adhere to fiscal budgets.
• Own site level profit and loss including accuracy of inventory levels and reporting metrics
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of leadership experience, preferably in a manufacturing production facility
• Technical Skills:
• Proficient computer skills – Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and similar software skills required for production analysis and projections.
• Soft Skills:
• Leadership: The ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve a common goal.
• Must be able to work various shifts, days, and weekends.
• Ability to pass a hair follicle drug test, post-offer pre-employment physical, and background check.
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable motor vehicle history for business travel in company vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in an Engineering discipline such as in Mechanical, Industrial or Electrical from an accredited College or University.
• 3+ years of experience related to partnering with sales/marketing to achieve optimal margin.
• Working knowledge of WWPA grading rules and standards.
• Working knowledge of a preventative and proactive maintenance management system.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Previous experience in a Planer mill and/or Sawmill preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations & compliance.
• Knowledge of boiler/kiln operations and drying process.
• A combination of relevant experience and education may be considered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS- Office, Finance, Corporate, Mill Supervisory

Ability to sit and/or stand for shift, reach with hands and arms, stoop, squat, bend at the waist, kneel, walk varying distance, and climb stairs.

#IFG123

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must be able to tolerate all weather elements, loud conditions, airborne particles (sawdust).

Idaho Forest Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, family medical history, or any other status protected by law.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Manufacturing Principles

Intermediate

Maintenance Improvement

Intermediate

Lumber Grading

Intermediate

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Engineering.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.