Plant Operations Leader: Safety, Lean & Growth

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.; Wooster, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & welfare

401k with match

Employee stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Flexible spending accounts

Disability insurance

AD&D

Life insurance

Job summary

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. in Wooster, Ohio seeks a Plant Manager to oversee operations, safety, and production while partnering with multiple departments to meet business goals.

This role drives continuous improvement, Lean initiatives, and disciplined processes across all shifts. You will lead staffing, develop leadership capabilities, manage budgets, and build cross-functional relationships to ensure delivery and quality align with strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or significant manufacturing and management experience.
• 10+ years of managerial experience in a production environment.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong operational skills and knowledge of lean business practices.
• Ability to drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team leader/member with diverse groups.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, reach, bend, and move about the facility.
• Occasionally lift and move up to 25 lbs.
• Travel – 10%.

Responsibilities

• Champion a safe work environment by leading safety initiatives and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and retention metrics.
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean principles and data-driven problem-solving.
• Promote discipline and standardized processes across shifts.
• Manage staffing levels, succession planning, and talent development across shifts.
• Coach and engage frontline leaders to strengthen decision-making.
• Support culture by fostering engagement to reduce turnover and sustain productivity.
• Translate strategies into plant-level objectives using data and CI tools.
• Oversee inventory control, materials management, and fulfillment accuracy.
• Develop and manage the operational budget.
• Build cross-functional relationships with EHS, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality.
• Communicate plant performance to stakeholders.
• Participate in regional initiatives and enterprise projects.
• Engage with local organizations to build community relationships.

Skills

Leadership and interpersonal skills

Operational excellence

Lean knowledge

Coaching and development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or significant manufacturing/management experience

Job description

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. in Wooster, Ohio seeks a Plant Manager to oversee operations, safety, and production while partnering with multiple departments to meet business goals.

This role drives continuous improvement, Lean initiatives, and disciplined processes across all shifts. You will lead staffing, develop leadership capabilities, manage budgets, and build cross-functional relationships to ensure delivery and quality align with strategic objectives.