Plant Manager

Foamcraft, a respected third-generation, family-owned manufacturing company based in Indiana, is seeking a seasoned and dynamic leader to join our team as a Plant Manager for our Elkhart, Indiana foam fabrication facility. Our Plant Managers play a critical role in navigating the challenges of a fast-paced, custom-order manufacturing environment – often tasked with solving the unexpected challenges of the day. This role demands a leader who balances compassion with excellence and resilience, ensuring both operational success and a positive work environment.

With the support of a robust Leadership Team and under the direction of the Director of Manufacturing, the Plant Manager is responsible for resourcing the Production Supervisors and all staff to achieve the daily, weekly, and monthly objectives of the facility. The Plant Manager leads with intentionality on the following focus areas :

• Team Leadership - Manages and supports Production Supervisors, plant staff, and support teams, focusing on team development, retention, and culture-building, while collaborating with HR on leadership programs and people operations to foster a positive and effective work environment.
• Plant Performance - Focuses on productivity, material yield, and labor efficiency while managing product lines and inventory, staying informed about foam types and customer parts, and collaborating with the Director of Finance and Director of Manufacturing to evaluate reports, track improvements, and ensure profitability.
• Quality Systems - Responsible for ensuring high quality parts through established QCPs, including by inspecting incoming and final products, controlling non-conforming products, and implementing corrective actions to prevent credits or returns.
• Sales Management - Responsible for building relationships with customers as feasible, collaborating with DSMs to provide exceptional customer service, and ensuring 100% complete and on-time shipment.
• Building / Grounds / Equipment / Fleet Maintenance - Ensures constant operation of equipment and fleet, maintains excellent housekeeping and security of all facilities, provides local direction to the Maintenance team through matrixed leadership, supports the Preventive Maintenance program, and ensures visible organization and labeling of materials.
• Safety - Collaborates with the Leadership Team to implement the Foamcraft Safety Program at the plant level, while leading safety committee meetings, enforcing safety processes on the floor, and training staff on safety policies.
• Design and Development - Responsible for operationalizing design and development processes at the plant level, overseeing CAD, prototyping, production, and quality management, while directing and supporting the local Design and Development team.

Qualified candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and experience in manufacturing management, with strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and familiarity with manufacturing software systems. They should be well-versed in manufacturing best practices such as Lean, 5S, Continuous Improvement, Quality Systems, Root Cause Analysis (5 Why), and Standardized Work. Experience with CNC, CAD, machine operation, cost accounting and financial analysis in a manufacturing environment is preferred. Experience in building and maintaining customer relationships is very important.

We’re seeking a true leader with experience managing both a production facility and a team, who is humble, kind, energetic, creative, and thorough; someone who is process-driven with a strong focus on relating to and developing people, and possesses excellent communication and time-management skills, and who will embrace and build upon our 70-year culture of resilience to drive future excellence and continuous improvement.