POSITION: Panel Plant Manager
STATUS: Salaried, Exempt
States Industries is seeking an experienced and strategic Panel Plant Manager to lead our manufacturing operations and drive operational excellence. This is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing safety, production, quality, cost, delivery, and continuous improvement while developing a high-performing team and advancing our Lean manufacturing culture.
Reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing, this role provides leadership across all manufacturing operations and partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, Production Control, and Sales to achieve company objectives and exceed customer expectations.
The Panel Plant Manager is responsible for the overall management of manufacturing operations, including:
Employee safety and regulatory compliance
Plant productivity and labor utilization
Product quality and on-time delivery
Material waste reduction and inventory management
Budget and operating cost performance
Continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing
Success in this role is measured by achieving operational and financial targets while fostering a culture focused on teamwork, accountability, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will champion Lean principles and support focused improvement initiatives utilizing methodologies such as:
Essential Responsibilities
Lead Value Stream Managers, Mentors, and production teams to achieve key performance objectives.
Develop and execute manufacturing plans aligned with company strategic goals.
Manage labor utilization, quality, waste, maintenance, supply costs, and overall operating performance.
Promote and enforce a culture of safety while ensuring OSHA compliance.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and waste elimination.
Support and develop TWI, Operator Certification, and employee training programs.
Coach and develop leaders while building succession plans for future organizational growth.
Ensure compliance with all environmental, state, and federal regulations.
Address employee performance and disciplinary matters in a timely and appropriate manner.
Communicate company strategy and lead organizational change initiatives.
Partner with Sales and Marketing to understand customer needs and manufacturing capabilities.
Develop and manage departmental budgets.
Monitor operational and financial metrics to meet or exceed performance expectations.
Collaborate with Maintenance to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
Ensure adherence to quality systems and customer specifications.
Perform financial and cost analyses to support operational improvements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Building high-performing teams
Lean thinking and operational excellence
Continuous improvement
Developing people
Customer-focused decision making
Leading through accountability and collaboration
States Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualifications
Required Skills
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Proven leadership and team-building abilities.
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Demonstrated success implementing organizational change.
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Extensive knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and tools.
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Strong manufacturing management experience within a complex production environment.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
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Ability to professionally represent States Industries with customers and vendors.
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Commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth.
Education & Experience
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Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Significant manufacturing leadership experience.
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Experience leading people, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
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Background or interest in wood products, wood processing, or related manufacturing environments is preferred.
