Plant Manager- Specialty Vehicle

Talent Search Group, Inc; Shelby (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee and optimize operational activities in a fabricated metal products environment. This senior leadership role focuses on strategic planning, process optimization, and team management, requiring 10+ years of experience in operations management. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a relevant Bachelor's degree, and practical experience with process improvement. A competitive salary and full-time benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in operations management or related senior leadership.
• Proven expertise in process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams across diverse departments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies to align with company goals.
• Analyze current operations to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
• Build and manage high-performance teams across departments.
• Develop and manage the operational budget.

Skills

Leadership

Operational metrics knowledge

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Decision-making

Financial acumen

Collaboration

Proficiency with ERP and analytics tools

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

ERP tools

BI tools

Job description

Overview

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all aspects of the organization's operational activities. This senior leadership role involves managing multiple operational departments, ensuring day-to-day activities align with the company’s strategic goals, improving efficiency, driving performance, and overseeing budgets and resources. The Plant Manager will work closely with senior leadership to create operational strategies that enhance business performance, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Strategy & Leadership: Develop and implement operational strategies to align with the company’s long-term goals; lead and direct the operations teams; establish KPIs to monitor performance and drive improvements; drive continuous improvement, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
• Process Optimization & Efficiency: Analyze current operations to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks; lead process optimization using Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement techniques; ensure operations run smoothly while reducing costs and maintaining quality and customer service.
• Team Management & Development: Build and manage high-performance teams across production, logistics, supply chain, and customer service; provide leadership and mentorship; oversee recruitment, training and development of operations staff.
• Financial Management & Budgeting: Develop and manage the operational budget; monitor operating expenses; collaborate with finance to improve cost-efficiency and profitability; ensure departments meet budget targets and manage variances.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Sales, Marketing, IT, and HR to ensure seamless operations; partner with senior leadership to grow business, capacity, and scalability; identify risks and mitigation strategies; ensure compliance with regulatory requirements; monitor risk management and resilience.
• Customer Experience & Quality Control: Oversee quality control and customer service strategies; monitor customer satisfaction and collaborate with customer service to resolve operational challenges.
• Data Analytics & Reporting: Use data analytics and BI tools to generate insights, track performance, and forecast trends; prepare regular reports for the executive team; ensure technology and software systems support operations; lead technology-driven projects to improve efficiency.

Key Notes: Experience in a job shop / fabrication business—preferably having worked up from the lower ranks; ability to read complex weldment drawings; experience with products with 2,000+ parts in short-run production; ability to operate most fabrication equipment at a basic level; involved from ground level to strategic planning; think like a business owner; must be authoritative but able to earn respect.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (required). MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in operations management or related senior leadership; experience managing cross-functional teams across diverse departments; proven expertise in process improvement, cost management, and operational efficiency.
• Skills: Strong leadership, operational metrics knowledge, problem-solving, strategic thinking, decision-making, financial acumen, collaboration, proficiency with ERP and analytics tools, and excellent communication.

Working Conditions

Primarily office-based with occasional site visits to manufacturing or distribution locations; some travel may be required.

Employment details

• Seniority level: Executive
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Management
• Industries: Fabricated Metal Products and Motor Vehicle Manufacturing