Plant Operations Leader: Safety, Lean & Continuous Improvement

Mann; Louisa (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MANN+HUMMEL Louisa plant is seeking a Plant Manager to lead daily operations, ensuring safe, high-quality production aligned with business goals and customer requirements. You will oversee production, safety, quality, maintenance, and continuous improvement while driving accountability and team development.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering or related field, several years of manufacturing leadership, and experience with lean methods, ERP systems, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Several years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Prior plant management or senior operations leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, safety, quality, maintenance, production planning, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing budgets, operational KPIs, productivity initiatives, and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methods preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive accountability in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all plant operations to ensure production targets, customer requirements, and business objectives are met.
• Oversee daily manufacturing activities, resource planning, production performance, and operational execution.
• Ensure effective coordination between production, maintenance, quality, engineering, supply chain, HR, finance, and other support functions.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement action plans to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and efficiency.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across the facility.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Support quality systems and ensure products are manufactured in accordance with customer, company, and industry standards.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement activities related to safety, quality, process stability, and customer satisfaction.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to plant leadership teams and employees.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning, employee development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Partner with Human Resources to address employee relations, staffing, training, and organizational needs.
• Manage plant budgets, cost controls, productivity initiatives, and operational spending.
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and optimize resources.
• Support business planning, forecasting, capital planning, and operational strategy.
• Ensure plant performance aligns with company financial and operational goals.
• Lead and support lean manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive standardization, process improvement, waste reduction, and improved plant performance.
• Encourage problem-solving and data-driven decision making throughout the organization.
• Support implementation of best practices, systems, and tools to improve operational effectiveness.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

5S

Kaizen

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

MANN+HUMMEL Louisa plant is seeking a Plant Manager to lead daily operations, ensuring safe, high-quality production aligned with business goals and customer requirements. You will oversee production, safety, quality, maintenance, and continuous improvement while driving accountability and team development.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering or related field, several years of manufacturing leadership, and experience with lean methods, ERP systems, and cross-functional collaboration.