Position Summary
The Production/Plant Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of all plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production across all departments. This role serves as the primary operational leader on the plant floor, directing production supervisors and support staff to execute against production schedules, quality standards, and cost targets.
The Production/Plant Manager works closely with the VP of Operations to translate strategic objectives into daily operational execution. This role is accountable for driving a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across a team of 15–20 plant employees. Must be flexible to work outside normal business hours as required.
Key Responsibilities
Production Management & Scheduling
- Oversee daily production operations across all departments to ensure on-time completion of job orders.
- Develop, manage, and adjust production schedules to meet customer delivery requirements.
- Monitor workflow, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to maintain throughput.
- Prioritize urgent orders, back orders, and time-sensitive shipments in coordination with supervisors.
- Ensure efficient utilization of equipment, materials, and labor to maximize productivity.
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide direct leadership to Operations Supervisors, the Shipping & Receiving Supervisor, and the Maintenance Technician.
- Set clear performance expectations, delegate responsibilities, and hold team members accountable.
- Train, coach, and develop supervisors and frontline employees to improve skills and performance.
- Support hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions in partnership with HR and the VP of Operations.
- Foster a positive, high-performance work environment with strong communication and team morale.
Safety & Compliance
- Champion a safety-first culture across all plant operations; enforce all safety policies and procedures.
- Conduct regular safety audits, walkthroughs, and near-miss reviews; drive corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment at all times.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure all products meet company quality standards and customer specifications.
- Oversee inspection processes, non-conformance resolution, and corrective action implementation.
- Identify and drive process improvement initiatives to reduce waste, rework, and operational inefficiencies.
- Support ISO compliance and internal quality system requirements.
Financial & Resource Management
- Monitor and manage plant labor costs, overtime, and materials usage against budget targets.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
- Partner with the VP of Operations on capital expenditure needs, equipment maintenance planning, and operational budgeting.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate with Shipping & Receiving to ensure job completion and on-time delivery.
- Coordinate with Maintenance to minimize equipment downtime and support preventive maintenance schedules.
- Work with the VP of Operations and sales leadership to align production capacity with customer commitments.
- Communicate production status, delays, and risks to leadership proactively.
Reporting & Documentation
- Track and report daily/weekly production KPIs including output, on-time delivery, quality, and safety metrics.
- Ensure accurate and timely completion of all production documentation, job folders, and shop paperwork.
- Report operational performance and escalate issues to the VP of Operations as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides direct leadership to plant supervisors and the maintenance team. Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of plant personnel in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, planning and directing work, appraising performance, and addressing employee concerns.
Performance Metrics
- Safety performance (OSHA recordables, near-miss reporting)
- On-time delivery and production throughput
- Quality performance (scrap, rework, customer complaints)
- Labor productivity, efficiency, and overtime management
- Employee engagement, attendance, and retention
- Reduction in production delays and downtime
Qualifications
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education / Experience
- High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
- 7+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in metal fabrication, steel processing, or a similar environment.
- 3+ years of supervisory or management experience in a plant or production environment.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of production operations, workflow management, and scheduling.
- Proven leadership ability with experience managing supervisors and frontline teams.
- Solid understanding of quality systems, safety regulations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Forklift experience preferred
- Basic to intermediate computer skills.
Pay: $40.00 - $43.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Detroit, MI 48207 (Required)
Work Location: In person
