Plant Manager: Manufacturing Excellence & Growth

Xylem; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Xylem in Rockford, IL seeks a tenured manufacturing leader to step into the Plant Manager role and drive site performance. Ideal candidates will bring a chemical manufacturing background and a track record of safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements.

The Plant Manager will translate corporate objectives into actionable priorities, build a high‑performing team, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that scale with growth while developing talent and fostering an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in operations, manufacturing, or industrial environments, including direct responsibility for site or plant performance.
• Proven success leading teams and improving results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity metrics.
• Strong experience with operational excellence, continuous improvement, and performance management systems.
• Proven ability to lead through complexity, drive change, and build alignment across multiple functions.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational execution to broader commercial and strategic goals.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience developing talent, building strong teams, and creating a culture of accountability and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Rockford operating team with full accountability for site performance and operational results.
• Translate division and business objectives into clear operating priorities, action plans, and performance expectations.
• Drive execution against key operational goals related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Establish a high-performance operating culture focused on accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Support business growth by aligning operating capabilities, capacity, and execution with customer and market needs.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, flow, and quality.
• Build and reinforce structured problem-solving and performance management practices.
• Advance operational excellence by improving processes, standard work, and visual management.
• Identify opportunities to simplify operations and improve scalability in support of business objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop operations leaders and teams across the site.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Safety focus

Quality management

Continuous improvement

People leadership

Talent development

Cross-functional

Decision making

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Lean manufacturing

Job description

Xylem in Rockford, IL seeks a tenured manufacturing leader to step into the Plant Manager role and drive site performance. Ideal candidates will bring a chemical manufacturing background and a track record of safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements.

The Plant Manager will translate corporate objectives into actionable priorities, build a high‑performing team, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that scale with growth while developing talent and fostering an inclusive culture.