Plant Operations Leader: Lean, Safety & Quality

Soap Creek Resources; Linden (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Soap Creek Resources in Linden, MI is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role leads production, maintenance, quality, and plant personnel to meet customer requirements and drive continuous improvement.

The Plant Manager will manage budgets, safety compliance, and performance metrics while coordinating with cross-functional teams to maintain schedules and optimize processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or plant operations experience, including leadership or supervisory 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

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

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

ERP/MRP

Quality systems

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Soap Creek Resources in Linden, MI is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee daily plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role leads production, maintenance, quality, and plant personnel to meet customer requirements and drive continuous improvement.

The Plant Manager will manage budgets, safety compliance, and performance metrics while coordinating with cross-functional teams to maintain schedules and optimize processes.