Plant Operations Leader - Lean & Safety Champion

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision coverage

401(k) investment plan with employer a

Paid time off

Remote work stipend

Job summary

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions in Minnesota is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, drive production, safety, quality, and cost targets, and lead a team of supervisors and department heads.

You will champion lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, aligning plant performance with corporate goals while fostering teamwork, accountability, and a culture of safe, efficient manufacturing. You will also manage budgets and collaborate with finance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or production.
• Experience managing operations in high-volume manufacturing with budgets, P&L, and production planning.
• Experience with Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement methods is strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management with focus on development and motivation.
• Excellent problem-solving and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations in manufacturing.
• Proficiency with ERP software and manufacturing systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and supply chain.
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet customer demand while optimizing capacity and costs.
• Ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of high-quality products per specifications.
• Monitor plant performance metrics and take corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Champion safety by enforcing OSHA/EPA regulations and improving safety culture.
• Lead initiatives to improve safety culture, reduce incidents, and ensure training adherence.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to management and supervisors.
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven environment with teamwork and accountability.
• Recruit, train, and develop plant staff with succession planning.
• Manage plant budgets and control operating costs; identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with finance to forecast performance and adjust operations accordingly.
• Drive continuous improvement, lean practices, and Six Sigma to boost productivity.
• Promote root-cause analysis and problem-solving across the plant.
• Ensure products meet customer specs and internal quality requirements.
• Work with QA to resolve issues and implement preventive measures.
• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure timely procurement of materials.
• Manage inventory levels to support production and minimize waste.
• Oversee shipping and logistics for on-time delivery to customers.
• Report plant performance and opportunities to corporate leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on new product development and capacity planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Data analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Lean manufacturing tools

Job description

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions in Minnesota is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, drive production, safety, quality, and cost targets, and lead a team of supervisors and department heads.

You will champion lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, aligning plant performance with corporate goals while fostering teamwork, accountability, and a culture of safe, efficient manufacturing. You will also manage budgets and collaborate with finance.