Scope of Position

Our client is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations at a high-volume PET packaging plant. This role owns overall plant effectiveness across safety, quality, customer service, cost, productivity, people development, and continuous improvement, with accountability for efficient utilization of equipment, materials, and manpower.

The Plant Manager will direct cross-functional plant leadership, partner closely with customers and commercial teams, and drive Operational Excellence initiatives that deliver short- and long-term plant and company objectives. This is a hands-on, on-site leadership role for a results-oriented manufacturing professional who builds strong teams and a culture of accountability.

Responsibilities

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Understand, follow, and enforce all established safety, health, quality, GMP, and company policies, procedures, and recognized practices.
• Lead plant safety initiatives through training programs, plant safety meetings, safety audits, and employee engagement via suggestion and recognition programs.
• Drive plant quality initiatives by implementing corrective actions from customer or internal complaints, coordinating new product qualifications, participating in internal and external quality system audits, and developing corrective action plans.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for safety and quality throughout the organization.

Operational Excellence

• Direct daily manufacturing operations to achieve goals for safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and delivery.
• Review operating statements for all departments and direct manufacturing so plant costs remain within budgetary standards.
• Oversee production planning to ensure customer requirements are satisfied and plant capacity is optimized.
• Maintain close contact with Sales and Customer Service to meet customer needs and maximize utilization of plant facilities.
• Develop and maintain sound customer relationships; identify systems improvements and supply chain cost-reduction opportunities.
• Act as the plant's project manager on new initiatives involving equipment and molds.
• Participate in monthly, quarterly, and year-end physical inventories in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Drive continuous improvement plans using Operational Excellence tools (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) across cross-functional departments.
• Oversee creation and implementation of plant strategic and tactical plans that provide focus and drive to achieve plant and company objectives.
• May lead special projects related to other functional areas; 0–25% travel may be required.

Leadership & People Development

• Select, train, develop, and grow shift and staff personnel to attain organizational goals.
• Direct reports typically include Quality Manager, Production Manager, Plant CI Manager, and Supply Chain Manager, partnering with on-site HR and finance support.
• Promote an open-door, team-building environment and a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Build leadership capability and strengthen succession planning throughout the plant.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree and/or related plant management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related plant management experience, is required. A minimum of five years' experience in an operations supervisory or management role in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated leadership skills is strongly preferred. Six Sigma, Lean, and/or Kaizen experience is preferred.

Plant Managers interact with other managers, employees, vendors, and customers. The following skills and proficiencies are essential:

• Ability to maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance.
• Strong computer usage and typing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
• Ability to work independently and carry assignments to completion within given parameters and standard practices.
• Collaborates well with others; proactively contributes to group objectives and volunteers to help others.

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