Plant Manager

The Plant Manager will lead a highly visible Chicago-area manufacturing facility within a growing industrial organization. This individual will own production, labor, quality, safety, scheduling, delivery, and financial performance while translating broader manufacturing strategy into disciplined site execution.

The successful candidate will be a strategic, hands-on plant builder who can improve flow, establish operating discipline, develop leaders, and scale a mixed-mode fabrication and assembly operation using data, Lean principles, Theory of Constraints, and practical business acumen.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead plant operations across production, labor, safety, quality, scheduling, delivery, cost, and execution.
• Translate manufacturing strategy into clear priorities, operating plans, ownership, and measurable results.
• Improve flow, throughput, labor utilization, capacity, quality, and financial performance using Lean and Theory of Constraints.
• Use plant data and dashboards to identify systemic issues and establish actionable priorities.
• Build effective processes and accountability systems while developing managers, supervisors, and team leads.
• Partner with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and senior leadership.
• Build workforce credibility while operating effectively in a union-represented environment.

REQUIREMENTS

• Proven Plant Manager experience with full-site responsibility and measurable operating results.
• Experience building processes and leadership capability in an evolving or under-resourced manufacturing environment.
• Applied knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Theory of Constraints, continuous flow, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving.
• Ability to use data, dashboards, and performance metrics to drive action.
• Fabrication and assembly experience; automotive or Tier 2 supplier experience is particularly attractive.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, SPC, launch validation, and permanent corrective action.
• Union experience is preferred but not required; sound employee-relations judgment is essential.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be developed for the successful candidate, including base salary, performance-based incentive, and comprehensive benefits.