Position Summary
The Plant Manager serves as an executive leader of the manufacturing facility and is accountable for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the business. This position provides strategic and operational leadership across all plant functions, including production, maintenance, engineering, quality, environmental health and safety, materials management, and continuous improvement.
The Plant Manager is responsible for creating a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence while ensuring the facility consistently delivers exceptional quality, customer service, productivity, and financial results. Working closely with executive leadership, this role develops and executes operating plans that support Dunbarton's strategic objectives, long-term growth, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Success in this role requires a visible, hands-on leader who develops people, drives performance through data and accountability, embraces change, and fosters an environment where employees are engaged, empowered, and committed to achieving outstanding business results.
Core Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
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Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production.
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Provide leadership across production, maintenance, engineering, quality, materials management, and environmental health and safety functions.
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Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, productivity, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
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Optimize plant capacity, workflow, staffing, and resource utilization to meet customer demand and business objectives.
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Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
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Champion a safety-first culture where employee health and safety are the highest priorities.
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Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and industry standards.
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Lead safety initiatives, audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective actions to continuously improve workplace safety performance.
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Promote employee involvement in identifying, reporting, and eliminating workplace hazards.
Quality & Customer Satisfaction
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Ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations and internal quality standards.
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Partner with teams to investigate root causes, implement corrective and preventive actions, and drive sustainable improvements.
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Support customer visits, audits, and issue resolution while fostering strong customer relationships.
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Promote a culture focused on quality, customer satisfaction, and operational discipline.
Continuous Improvement
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Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance.
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Utilize operational and financial data to identify opportunities for improvement and support informed decision-making.
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Promote innovation, problem-solving, and the adoption of best practices throughout the facility.
Leadership & Talent Development
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Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing leadership team.
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Create a culture built on accountability, collaboration, engagement, respect, and continuous learning.
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Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and development opportunities.
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Support succession planning and leadership development to ensure organizational strength and continuity.
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Foster effective communication and collaboration across all departments.
Financial & Business Performance
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Develop and manage the plant's operating and capital budgets.
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Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, labor efficiency, inventory management, and overall profitability.
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Ensure responsible stewardship of company assets and resources.
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Collaborate with executives on capital planning and execute projects that improve safety, quality, capacity, and operational performance.
Strategic Leadership
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Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute strategic business initiatives.
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Align plant operations with company objectives, customer requirements, and long-term growth plans.
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Lead organizational change initiatives, including new technology, automation, process improvements, and operational transformation efforts.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and corporate partners to support business success.
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
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Ten (10) or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for plant operations in a metals, building products, or other heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
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Experience with fabrication, machining, welding, finishing, and distribution operations strongly preferred.
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Proven track record of leading multi-functional manufacturing operations while delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, customer service, productivity, employee engagement, and financial performance.
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Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles.
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Experience leading capital improvement projects and managing operating budgets.
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Demonstrated success leading organizational change, including implementation of new technology, automation, capital expansion, or operational transformation initiatives.
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Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
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Proficiency with ERP systems, manufacturing software, and Microsoft Office applications.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.
Physical & Work Environment
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Primarily works in a manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial equipment, moving machinery, noise, heat, dust, and varying temperatures.
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Regularly walks production areas and may be required to climb stairs, ladders, or access elevated work platforms.
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Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
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Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while in designated manufacturing areas.
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Occasional travel may be required to support business operations.
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Position is based in Dothan, Alabama. Relocation or residence within a reasonable commuting distance is expected.
Dunbarton is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, disability, age, or any other category protected by law.
