Purdy Products, manufacturer of Stera-Sheen cleaners and sanitizers, has been an industry leader for more than 70 years—and we are still growing.
We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our manufacturing facility. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for production performance, people management, safety, quality, scheduling, inventory coordination, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement.
The Plant Manager works closely with company leadership, Production, Warehouse, front-office staff, and outside vendors to ensure customer needs are met, production runs efficiently, and downtime is minimized.
The successful candidate will be a self-motivated and organized leader who is comfortable both leading people and working on the plant floor. This position requires strong mechanical aptitude, sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to identify problems and drive them through to resolution.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Spanish-language skills are highly preferred but not required.
At Purdy Products, we care about our employees, our customers, and the products we proudly make in the USA. Our team is committed to quality, teamwork, accountability, and shared success.
Benefits include BCBS health insurance, 401(k), HRA, paid time off, and bonus potential.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, manage, and hold Production employees accountable for their responsibilities, productivity, safety, quality, and performance expectations.
- Lead by example and reinforce the Company’s Core Values and standards.
- Establish clear productivity and performance goals for the production team.
- Ensure employees are properly trained in job responsibilities, equipment operation, production procedures, quality requirements, and safety practices.
- Provide regular coaching and feedback, conduct performance reviews, and address performance issues promptly and appropriately.
- Manage staffing and employee scheduling to meet production requirements, including recruiting and hiring as needed.
- Conduct weekly departmental meetings and participate in quarterly planning meetings focused on achieving department and Company goals.
- Ensure required attendance, payroll, and employee documentation is completed accurately and on time.
- Foster teamwork and effective communication within Production and across departments.
Production & Scheduling
- Oversee daily production and all aspects of the manufacturing process.
- Develop and execute production plans based on customer orders, inventory requirements, available labor, equipment capacity, and projected demand.
- Determine the most effective utilization of production lines and workforce under standard, staggered, or multiple-shift schedules.
- Coordinate production priorities with company leadership and the Production Scheduler.
- Schedule employees, job assignments, breaks, rotations, and other resources necessary to maintain efficient workflow.
- Monitor production performance throughout the day and adjust staffing, schedules, or workflow when necessary.
- Identify and resolve issues affecting production output, schedules, quality, or efficiency.
- Maintain a strong presence on the production floor and step into production activities when necessary, including work in the mixing area and proof oven.
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of existing equipment and production lines and recommend changes needed to support production requirements.
Safety
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
- Hold Production and Warehouse employees accountable for established health, safety, and Company procedures.
- Ensure employees receive appropriate and ongoing safety training, including proper use of equipment, materials, and plant resources.
- Identify hazards and address unsafe conditions or practices promptly.
- Promote a culture in which employees take responsibility for maintaining an accident-free workplace.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure manufacturing activities consistently meet established product specifications and quality standards.
- Monitor production processes and ensure required quality-control procedures are followed.
- Ensure employees understand and follow established production procedures, product specifications, and documentation requirements.
- Work with leadership and other departments to investigate and resolve production or quality concerns.
- Support quality initiatives, customer requirements, and applicable audit-compliance efforts.
Purchasing, Inventory & Vendor Management
- Coordinate raw-material and production-supply requirements with Production, Warehouse, front-office staff, leadership, and vendors.
- Manage and execute purchase orders necessary to support production while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
- Monitor incoming raw materials for compliance with established specifications and quality expectations.
- Manage the inventory reconciliation process in coordination with Warehouse and front-office staff.
- Oversee the availability of production supplies, including boxes, bottles, film, labels, and other required materials.
- Work with leadership and the CFO on vendor relationships, negotiations, agreements, and purchasing decisions involving raw materials, equipment, and plant operations.
- Balance material availability, lead times, inventory carrying costs, and production requirements.
Equipment, Maintenance & Facility Management
- Maintain equipment reliability and minimize production downtime.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and operational problems quickly and effectively.
- Determine when outside repair or technical assistance is required and coordinate service with appropriate vendors.
- Develop and execute preventive-maintenance programs for production equipment.
- Plan for both short-term and long-term equipment and maintenance needs.
- Assist in evaluating, selecting, installing, and implementing new manufacturing equipment.
- Work with leadership on equipment investments, production-line improvements, capacity expansion, and new-product initiatives.
- Plan for the effective use of existing production and warehouse space.
- Monitor the condition of the facility and recommend repairs, maintenance, or improvements when necessary.
Cost & Operational Management
- Monitor the effective use of labor, equipment, raw materials, and other production resources.
- Track significant changes in raw-material costs and communicate material cost issues to the President and CFO.
- Work with leadership to improve productivity while controlling manufacturing costs.
- Identify opportunities to improve workflow, reduce waste, increase capacity, and improve overall plant efficiency.
- Use sound judgment in balancing production requirements, labor utilization, inventory levels, equipment capabilities, quality, and cost.
Operational Contingency Planning & Problem Solving
Develop and maintain practical contingency plans to minimize disruption from operational interruptions, including:
- Equipment breakdowns and extended equipment downtime.
- Employee illness, absence, or loss of key personnel.
- Power interruptions.
- Natural disasters or facility damage.
- Material shortages, vendor disruptions, and other circumstances affecting production.
Respond quickly to unexpected production and operational problems and communicate significant issues to leadership.
Cross-Functional Responsibilities
- Maintain effective working relationships with Production, Warehouse, Sales, Finance, company leadership, outside vendors, and other departments.
- Communicate production status, risks, problems, and resource needs clearly and proactively.
- Take ownership of operational problems and follow issues through to resolution.
- Contribute to the overall success of the Company by assisting with related operational responsibilities as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience
- 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including direct responsibility for managing production employees.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing production operations, scheduling, workflow, staffing, and day-to-day manufacturing priorities.
- Experience in production, operations, maintenance, engineering, process improvement, or a related manufacturing discipline.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and coordinate repairs.
- Ability to understand equipment capacity, production constraints, and manufacturing processes.
- Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage production schedules, inventory, quality requirements, staffing, and multiple competing priorities.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
- Ability to set priorities, take ownership, and follow assignments and problems through to completion.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with employees, leadership, other departments, and outside vendors.
- Self-motivated, dependable, accountable, and comfortable working independently when necessary.
- Willingness to work hands-on in the plant and assist with production when circumstances require it.
- Experience working in a Lean manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills are highly preferred but not required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant manufacturing experience will be considered.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Compensation Package:
Education:
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 5 years (Required)
- Leadership: 5 years (Required)
- Mechanical troubleshooting: 5 years (Preferred)
Language:
- English (Required)
- spanish (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
