Plant Operations Leader: Lean, Safety & Growth

JMJ Phillip Group; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

JMJ Phillip Group seeks an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations, driving operational excellence and ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and financial objectives are met. This role provides strategic leadership across production, maintenance, quality, and other plant functions while developing teams and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

The position offers a senior leadership opportunity within a manufacturing operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing or plant operations experience.
• Proven experience in plant management or senior manufacturing leadership.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, quality, and maintenance operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing large, cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing budgets, operating costs, and KPIs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of workplace safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations and ensure production goals are consistently achieved.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and delivery performance.
• Monitor production schedules, capacity, resource allocation, and overall plant performance.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are executed consistently and effectively.
• Lead, develop, and mentor plant leadership and production teams.
• Establish performance expectations, accountability measures, and development plans.
• Foster a collaborative, engaged, and results-oriented workplace culture.
• Support workforce planning, staffing, and succession development.
• Maintain a strong culture of workplace safety and environmental responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor quality performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Partner with quality and operations teams to continuously improve processes and reduce defects.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
• Analyze operational metrics to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and cost reduction.
• Implement root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Promote standardization, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Manage plant operating budgets and monitor costs against established objectives.
• Support capital planning, equipment investments, and resource allocation.
• Analyze KPIs and provide operational updates to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and overall plant performance.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, maintenance, quality, finance, and other departments.
• Coordinate with leadership on strategic initiatives and business priorities.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure plant activities align with broader organizational objectives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Decision making

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or related field

Tools

Lean Manufacturing

Production planning

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

JMJ Phillip Group seeks an experienced Plant Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations, driving operational excellence and ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and financial objectives are met. This role provides strategic leadership across production, maintenance, quality, and other plant functions while developing teams and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

The position offers a senior leadership opportunity within a manufacturing operation.