Plant Operations Leader: Safety, Lean & Efficiency

Management Performance Associates; Linden (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Management Performance Associates’ Plant Manager will oversee daily plant operations, driving safety, quality, and cost controls while leading production, maintenance, quality, and staff to meet customer requirements and processes. You will champion Lean initiatives, 5S, and continuous improvement while managing budgeting and engaging cross-functional teams to optimize performance and reliability.

You will coordinate with operations, logistics, and quality teams to meet schedules, reduce waste,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 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

• 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 key performance indicators (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

Operations management

Budget management

Lean manufacturing

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Management Performance Associates’ Plant Manager will oversee daily plant operations, driving safety, quality, and cost controls while leading production, maintenance, quality, and staff to meet customer requirements and processes. You will champion Lean initiatives, 5S, and continuous improvement while managing budgeting and engaging cross-functional teams to optimize performance and reliability.

You will coordinate with operations, logistics, and quality teams to meet schedules, reduce waste,