Plant Manager

Plant Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Greater Allentown, PA Area

Role Overview

The Plant Manager is responsible for overall site leadership, operational performance, and financial results for a complex manufacturing facility with 50+ employees. This role drives operational excellence by ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products while meeting customer delivery requirements and organizational objectives.

The position has full profit and loss responsibility and requires strong leadership across production, safety, quality, maintenance, and continuous improvement. Success in this role depends on the ability to lead diverse teams, optimize resources, and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all plant operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Own site-level profit and loss performance; operate within approved budgets and financial targets.
• Develop and execute plans to maximize utilization of materials, equipment, and labor.
• Establish and oversee production schedules and production control processes to meet customer commitments.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Serve as the site safety leader, embedding safety as a core value and driving world-class safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures.
• Promote strong environmental, health, and safety (EHS) practices, including training, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain high standards for quality, housekeeping, equipment reliability, and facility condition.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the plant leadership team and all site personnel.
• Partner with Human Resources to develop and maintain a formal workforce and succession plan.
• Drive organizational capability through performance management, talent development, recruitment, compensation planning, and recognition programs.
• Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, pride, and continuous improvement across the workforce.

Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership

• Lead continuous improvement efforts across the facility using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement process, equipment, and workflow improvements to increase productivity, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Champion change initiatives and guide teams through transformation with clear communication and strong leadership.
• Maintain awareness of industry advancements and emerging technologies relevant to manufacturing operations.

Collaboration & External Engagement

• Coordinate effectively with corporate and shared-service resources to leverage organizational capabilities.
• Support positive community relations and represent the facility as needed with external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field; Master's degree preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in manufacturing or operations leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a large, multi-department, diversified manufacturing facility.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, cost management, and operational metrics.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives; Six Sigma or Lean certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Proven ability to lead change, motivate teams, and drive results through influence and accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and computer skills.

Core Competencies

• Operational Excellence: Drives productivity, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Safety Leadership: Consistently prioritizes safety and regulatory compliance.
• People Leadership: Builds strong teams and develops future leaders.
• Financial Acumen: Understands and manages budgets, costs, and profitability.
• Change Leadership: Leads transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Problem Solving: Uses data-driven and structured approaches to decision-making.
• Communication: Clearly communicates expectations, progress, and results.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Regular exposure to a manufacturing environment with moderate noise levels.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Occasional exposure to heights and industrial hazards; required use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Limited office-based work; role is primarily floor- and site-focused.
• Travel up to approximately 5% as required.

Additional Notes

• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• This description reflects the general nature of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.