Skills Training Plant Manager

MSA Skills Training Plant Manager Job Description

ORGANIZATION

The Manufacturing Skills Academy (MSA) is an employer-led project of the Central Oklahoma Manufacturers Association (COMA). The MSA was funded in 2023 through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) and is led by Principal Investigator, Sharon Harrison (of Harrison Consulting Group). Located in Oklahoma City, the MSA will offer young people between 18-24 a paid learning opportunity to prepare them for careers in the critical occupations in manufacturing. The MSA collaborates with partners in non-profit, education, and workforce sectors.

The MSA is guided by five core principles:

· Build strong and positive relationships between program participants, staff, instructors, and mentors

· Create genuine work-based learning opportunities through job shadows, site visits, and manufacturing of real products.

· Create a culture of shared responsibility between program participants, staff and instructors, mentors, and other COMA members of ongoing skill development.

· Foster the development and improvement of employability skills (interpersonal and life skills) that transcend a particular technology or job category.

• Foster the development of the necessary manufacturing technical skills to allow participants to move into employment and/or further training.

POSITION

Reporting to the Grant Principal Investigator (PI) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for MSA’s skills training plant operation staff, programs, expansion, aligned with its mission. S/he will oversee all daily operations of our facility, ensuring efficiency, quality, safety, and cost-effective management of resources. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in production management, team leadership, and continuous improvement practices within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

· Lead, manage, and mentor plant staff, including production, maintenance, quality, and logistics teams.

· Develop and implement production strategies that align with company goals and objectives.

· Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Production & Operations

· Oversee the planning, coordination, and control of manufacturing processes to meet production targets.

· Ensure that production is cost-effective and that products are produced on time and meet quality standards.

· Optimize production workflows and plant layout for efficiency and throughput.

Quality & Compliance

· Ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.

· Implement and monitor quality control systems and procedures.

· Work closely with QA/QC teams to identify and resolve issues.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

· Promote and enforce a safe working environment and culture.

· Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

· Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments.

Maintenance & Asset Management

· Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure optimal functioning of machinery and equipment.

· Plan and manage preventive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime.

Budgeting & Cost Control

· Manage plant budgets, control expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities.

· Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare regular reports for senior management.

Communication & Reporting

· Maintain clear communication with cross-functional teams and PI for the MSA.

· Prepare and present performance reports, production forecasts, and strategic plans.

Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Management or equivalent.

· 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a plant management role.

· Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement techniques.

· Excellent leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

· Strong understanding of safety and regulatory compliance in a manufacturing environment.

· Six Sigma Certification

Organizational Leadership and Management

· Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals

· Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents.

· Oversee the hiring and supervision of staff.

· Ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws.

Operations and Finance

· Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.

· Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and contractors and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.

· Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

· Oversee bookkeeping and accounting staff and contractors. Provide regular financial reports to the Board of Directors and funders as required.

· Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and reporting requirements.

Program Operations

· Supervise all staff and ensure the day-to-day running of the program.

· Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the relevant fields, including manufacturing education and development, non-profit management, and community partnerships.

· Ensure that all equipment and supplies are available and in safe working condition.

· Create a culture of evaluation that includes building staff evaluation capacity and overseeing external evaluation consultants' work as required.

· Ensure that all staff and participants have the necessary and required PPE including PPE designed for both men and women.

Fundraising and Public Relations

· In partnership with the PI and MSA team, develop a long-term funding plan for sustainability of the Manufacturing Skills Academy.

· Conceptualize and oversee the development and submission of appropriate grants to public and private sources.

· Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations.

· Oversee the development of an organizational communications plan and infrastructure including a web presence, regular media engagement, and outreach.

· Represent and publicize the MSA to agencies, organizations, and the general public including its opportunities and success.

Physical and Travel Requirements

· Occasional local and out-of-state travel, including evenings and weekends.

· Occasional lifting, bending, and kneeling.

· Prolonged standing, sitting, and walking.

· Valid Driver’s License and Auto Insurance Coverage.

Equal Opportunity

The Manufacturing Skills Academy is committed to equal opportunity employment and complies with all relevant federal, state, and local fair employment laws. We reject unlawful discrimination and uphold the principles of equal employment opportunity for all individuals.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $80,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $80,000