Plant Manager

Position Summary:

The lead operations coach responsible for the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of operational activities of the production and shipping/ receiving areas of the Location. The Plant Manager works with their work teams to plan and develop systems and procedures to improve the operating quality and efficiency of all operation departments. Coaches and develops teams in accordance with company policies and procedures. Advises and consults with leadership team on production matters.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates as a member of the senior management team in strategic planning events to determine overall company strategies, goals, budgets and action plans for the location.
• Plans, develops and implements strategies for operational supervisors and development so as to meet agreed organizational performance plans within agreed budgets and timescales covering relevant areas of operation – i.e. Manufacturing and Shipping/Receiving
• Promotes, through actions and communication style, a team culture. Continuing to develop and mentor team members to listen, ask questions, and work together for continuous improvement through collaboration.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate systems for measuring necessary aspects of operational management and development.
• Manages capacity planning to handle spike loads and rapidly changing customer demands by working with value stream teams.
• Proactive in staying ahead of operational bottlenecks, working with value stream teams to solve issues using tools such as, kaizen events and manufacturing engineering to build a flexible workforce.
• Monitors, measures and reports on operational issues, opportunities, development plans and achievements within agreed formats and timescales.
• Manages and develops value stream teams, communicates with them regularly and seeks their input on issues affecting their areas of responsibility.
• Mentors team members to be empowered to make decisions on daily production matters, counsels team members on performance issues or concerns, and provides additional training where appropriate. Provides counsel on corrective notices when necessary and according to procedure. Assists in recruitment efforts for all company team members, when necessary.
• Manages and controls departmental expenditure within agreed budgets.
• Liaise with Customer Development Team, Procurement and other teams to provide understanding on all necessary aspects and needs of operations, and to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives, purposes and achievements.
• Maintains awareness and knowledge of contemporary operational development theories and methods, and provide suitable interpretation to other teams within the organization.
• Ensure activities meet with and integrate with organizational requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal stipulations, environmental policies and general duty of care.
• Responsible for the overall quality, accuracy and thoroughness of the production and, procurement activities of the Company.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Serves as a resource to leadership in all departments to help ensure quality decisions are made; Keeps current with developments in production in order to identify potential problems or opportunities; Discusses findings/questions with VP of Operations and other team members.

Other duties as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position, fills in where ever needed in order to get the job done.

Work Relationships and Scope:

Reports to the VP of Operations; daily interaction with engineering staff, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, finance, HR, and sales; frequent interaction with customers, suppliers and vendors.

Performance Expectations

Quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability and thoroughness of work performed; ability to gain the trust and respect of the VP of Operations, other management team members and subordinate employees; communicates effectively and develops good working relationships; ability to execute Company business plan, stay current in the field and utilize information where practical; soundness of business decisions made; customer, vendor and auditor satisfaction with interactions; provision of and responsiveness to the informational needs of management; quality of the example set for other employees (attitude, approach, professionalism, team effort, commitment and loyalty to Company and subordinates, etc.); ability to keep Company, customer, and employee information confidential; participation in training and appropriate professional development; reliability in reporting to work regularly and on time; understands and adheres to Company policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering and/or Business or equivalent related education. Experience in working with self-directed work teams with a demonstrated record of coaching/mentoring teams and team members to work through solutions in manufacturing. Minimum of eight to ten years of Operations management experience; plus two to five years of related experience in a sheet-metal fabrication environment; Must have a thorough understanding of and practical experience in Lean manufacturing; Must be able to: efficiently and effectively utilize computerized manufacturing systems; exercise good business judgment in making daily operating decisions with the long term best interests of the business in mind; ability to work independently and solve problems; ability to anticipate problems and concerns; ability to conduct general informational research, interview and gather information; ability to compose business reports; ability to deal effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people, situations and personalities; maintain the integrity of highly confidential business information; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; meet deadlines that change frequently; deal effectively with time pressures, stress and change.

Working Conditions:

This position works in an office with minimal risk of injury with frequent trips to the shop where there is a moderate risk of injury. Deadline pressure is an integral part of the job. Frequent mental and visual concentration for computer usage and reading/assimilating information; Work hours are generally weekdays during normal business hours and will usually average a minimum of 45-50 hours a week. Some unscheduled evening and weekend work will be required. There is regular use of computer keyboard and telephone. Requires the ability to receive detailed information through written and verbal communication; requires near and mid-range vision for using the computer.