Plant Operations Leader: Lean, Safety & Efficiency

Joseph Michaels International; Linden (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Joseph Michaels International seeks a Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations, lead production, maintenance, quality and plant personnel, and ensure safe, cost-effective production to meet customer requirements.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage budgets, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to maintain schedules, quality, and delivery commitments in a fast-paced plant environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or plant operations experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, manufacturing processes, quality systems, workplace safety, and maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, solve operational problems, and improve performance.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and performance measurement preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing activities to meet production schedules, quality standards, delivery commitments, and operational targets.
• Lead, develop, and hold supervisors and employees accountable for performance, productivity, attendance, and adherence to company policies.
• Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety procedures, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and company standards.
• Monitor production output, labor utilization, equipment performance, downtime, and scrap while implementing improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Ensure products meet customer specifications and quality requirements while supporting corrective actions and preventing recurring defects.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and equipment improvements to minimize downtime and maintain reliable operations.
• Manage plant operating expenses, labor costs, materials usage, and other resources to meet financial and productivity objectives.
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean manufacturing, 5S, root-cause analysis, and other problem-solving methods.
• Coordinate with purchasing, warehouse, and supply chain teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels and ensure materials are available to support production.
• Track and communicate KPIs, production results, safety performance, quality metrics, and improvement initiatives to senior management.
• Work closely with sales, customer service, engineering, quality, maintenance, and logistics to resolve issues and support business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Production planning

Quality systems

Safety management

ERP/MRP systems

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Engineering/Operations Management

Tools

ERP/MRP software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Joseph Michaels International seeks a Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations, lead production, maintenance, quality and plant personnel, and ensure safe, cost-effective production to meet customer requirements.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage budgets, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to maintain schedules, quality, and delivery commitments in a fast-paced plant environment.