Plant Manager

The Plant Manager in the Manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in overseeing the daily operations of manufacturing facilities, ensuring that production processes run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. This position is pivotal in driving the plant’s productivity, maintaining quality standards, facilitating timely maintenance, and managing staff to achieve organizational objectives. A Plant Manager’s strategic oversight helps in aligning the plant operations with the broader corporate goals, thus supporting the overall success of the organization. The Plant Manager is also an integral part of strategic and tactical planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishes operations standards for cost control, waste reduction, quality, safety and accurate, complete, on time delivery.
• Manages policy deployment in the areas of Lean Manufacturing techniques, quality, cost reduction, complete and on-time delivery, safety, customer satisfaction, employee relations, visual controls, and plant performance measures.
• Provides leadership to attain company and manufacturing goals and objectives. Also provides leadership for problem resolution to facilitate fast improvements and improved working relationships.
• Demonstrates the energy, commitment and enthusiasm needed to energize and motivate the workforce.
• Develops employees through training and involvement programs to create a team environment that has decision-making authority throughout the organization.
• Identifies development opportunities and provides subordinates opportunities to meet their career development plans.
• Responsible for production related communication flow and coordination between all resources committed to each product, including all vendors.
• Maintains a strong customer focus and must be profitability oriented.
• In conjunction with the President, is responsible for plant level financial management, purchasing, inventory, capital expenditures, etc.
• Manages and analyzes monthly P&L for performance to budget.
• Monitors all production reports to ensure achievement of financial, safety, quality, and on-time delivery of the product.
• Communicates with the President and sales force to ensure a quality product. Ensures vendors/subcontractors are manufacturing products according to product specifications.
• Implements production of all products, assists in developing plant layout in planning rearrangements of facilities, equipment, and operations for better utilization of space.
• Coordinates and monitors, plans for reductions in cost and product lead times for existing and new products to be developed. Works closely with research and development, quality assurance and maintenance personnel to prevent problems with products and tooling/fixtures.
• Assists in the assessment of vendor/subcontractor evaluation for consideration and ensures that all manufacturing product specifications are developed, and testing procedures are in place before starting up vendors/subcontractors.
• Achieves outstanding production efficiency by strictly controlling waste, quality, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), safety and carefully managing labor costs and communicating effectively with the workforce and all internal and external customers.
• Determines operations headcount needs and ensures compliance with company policies and stays informed concerning new manufacturing technologies and equipment to manufacture and reduce costs through efficiencies.
• Demonstrates machine operations and maintenance proficiency.
• Defines and recommends objectives in each area of the operation for continuous improvement. Determines and eliminates root causes and diminishes occurrences in the manufacturing process.
• Implements cost effective systems of control over capital, operating expenditures, manpower, wages, and salaries.
• Manages capital asset maintenance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Plant Manager is responsible for daily supervision of a team of managers, supervisors and administrative personnel who supervise a total of 250–300 employees at the site facility.
• Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities also include interviewing, and training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be familiar with Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques.
• High degree of knowledge in the understanding of production costs on budgeted hourly cost basis and value-added basis with the ability to analyze production related information regarding time, space, personnel, and equipment resources.
• Understanding and experience in organizational management systems.
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial management concepts and techniques. Proven budget management/control experience.
• Knowledge and experience with information systems and software. Familiar with software programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Ability to learn new software programs as required.
• Excellent supervisory and leadership skills to effectively hire, train, motivate and evaluate personnel required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to develop contracts, budgets, correspondence, and other documents required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to set and coordinate priorities and manage multiple projects to meet internal and external competing deadlines; ability to work under pressure. Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities.
• Excellent problem-solving skills. Ability to manage adversity in a calm, flexible, and gracious manner.
• Knowledge of company and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Must possess skills to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely and be able to coordinate effectively with management, other supervisors, employees, and the public.Summary Minimum Education & Experience Required

• Requires a B.S. Degree in business administration, technical or related field,
• 5 years of progressive manufacturing experience and responsibilities.
• At least five years of total hands-on supervisory and managerial experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Requires broad technical or administrative experience in a manufacturing environment with a hands-on approach to manufacturing operations and the ability to interact with all levels of employees.
• Must have experience with lean manufacturing or lean manufacturing principles.
• Must have experience with Profit and Loss Statements and the budgetary process.
• Proven ability to build, develop and motivate teamwork environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• While performing the duties of this job, the Plant Manager must be able to work inside, work protracted or irregular hours, work around machines with moving parts and moving objects. This position will work closely with others in addition to working alone.
• While on the factory floor, the Plant Manager may be exposed to excessive or intermittent noise and dust. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include manufacturing machines and equipment, hand tools, computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, and possibly a forklift and automobile.