Job Description

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of the production process to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders. This role provides leadership to the production team, manages departmental operations, and ensures alignment with organizational goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost efficiency. The Production Manager serves as a key link between shop-floor operations and senior management, driving process improvements, workforce development, and operational excellence.

This position requires a strong technical background in manufacturing operations, with specific knowledge of machine shop practices, cylinder assembly processes, and lean manufacturing principles. The Plant Manager is accountable for meeting production schedules, coordinating resources, monitoring performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with safety and ISO standards.

The role also involves managing staff performance through coaching, training, and formal reviews while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork. By guiding daily operations and long-term planning, the Production Manager ensures that customer requirements are consistently met while advancing the company’s commitment to safety, quality, and innovation.

Essential Duties: (Additional duties may be assigned as required.)

• Leadership & Staff Management

Direct and coordinate activities of all departments involved in production and distribution of products.

Manage staff, prepare work schedules, assign duties, and ensure adequate coverage across shifts.

Determine staffing requirements and participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training of new employees.

Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to employees and supervisors.

Conduct performance appraisals, administer corrective actions when necessary, and recognize employee achievements.

Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the plant.

• Production & Operational Oversight

Oversee all activities directly related to manufacturing and production to ensure efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery.

Manage the flow of orders scheduled and in-process, ensuring required materials, tooling, and parts are available when needed.

Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, ISO requirements, and company quality standards.

Monitor key production metrics (throughput, scrap, downtime, labor efficiency) and drive improvements.

Step in to cover jobs or workstations when needed to support workflow continuity during employee absences.

• Maintenance & Equipment Management

Review equipment and tooling annually to determine replacement, upgrades, and efficiency improvements.

Manage the maintenance request process, assigning priorities and ensuring timely resolution.

Guide maintenance personnel and ensure proper cadence and accountability in addressing issues.

Ensure safe and reliable operation of equipment through preventive maintenance programs.

• Safety, Training & Compliance

Ensure all employees are trained on proper equipment use, operating procedures, and safety standards.

Promote and enforce a safe working environment in compliance with OSHA and company safety policies.

Regularly report on safety and training initiatives to senior management.

Coach and train employees on corrective action processes to identify root causes and prevent reoccurrence.

• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

Lead initiatives to streamline manufacturing processes, improve efficiencies, and eliminate waste.

Drive problem-solving and root cause analysis for production issues, safety concerns, and quality defects.

Champion lean manufacturing practices (5S, setup reduction, process standardization) across departments.

Collaborate with engineering, quality, and maintenance teams to resolve operational challenges and implement long-term solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages all subordinate supervisors and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this facility. Uses all supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above, and below, are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Made2Manage, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Outlook.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree (B. A. / B. S.) in engineering, business, or related field from four-year college or university (MBA preferred); and 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Specialized Training:

Machine shop knowledge and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities:

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Proven success in Lean/CI initiatives.

• Ability to read blueprints

• Mechanically inclined.

• Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder knowledge

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25+ pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to wear safety glasses and hard sole/close toed shoes with a low heel when walking through the manufacturing shop and/or repair shop whether as part of performing their job or just passing through. In addition, long hair must be tied back when around hazards of flame, machinery, or equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.