Plant Manager - Specialty Packaging

Position OverviewThe Plant Manager oversees all operations within a 70,000 sq. ft. rigid box manufacturing facility equipped with 18 production machines and staffed by approximately 200 employees. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring safety and quality standards, optimizing production efficiency, and developing a high-performance workforce. The Plant Manager serves as the senior on-site leader and is accountable for meeting output, cost, delivery, and continuous improvement goals.Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership· Direct daily plant operations across all departments, including production, maintenance, quality, engineering, scheduling, and warehouse.· Ensure optimal utilization of 18 rigid box manufacturing machines, maximizing uptime, throughput, and efficiency.· Oversee production planning to meet customer delivery requirements while balancing labor, materials, and machine capacity.· Implement and monitor KPIs such as OEE, scrap rate, labor efficiency, downtime, and on-time delivery.People Management· Lead, mentor, and develop a workforce of ~200 employees, including supervisors, leads, and hourly staff.· Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.· Partner with HR on staffing, training, performance management, and employee engagement.· Ensure compliance with company policies, labor regulations, and safety standards.Safety & Compliance· Maintain a safe working environment through rigorous adherence to OSHA standards and internal safety protocols.· Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.· Champion a safety-first culture across all shifts and departments.Quality Assurance· Ensure all products meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.· Collaborate with the Quality team to reduce defects, improve process capability, and maintain certifications.· Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues.Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing· Lead initiatives to reduce waste, improve workflow, and enhance productivity using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.· Optimize plant layout, material flow, and machine utilization within the 70,000 sq. ft. facility.· Evaluate and implement new technologies, automation, and process improvements.Financial & Strategic Management· Manage plant budget, including labor, maintenance, supplies, and capital expenditures.· Analyze operational data to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency gains.· Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term capacity planning, capital projects, and strategic initiatives.Maintenance & Reliability· Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs for all 18 machines and facility infrastructure.· Ensure minimal unplanned downtime and extend equipment life through disciplined maintenance practices.Qualifications Required· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).· 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in packaging, converting, printing, or related industries.· Proven success managing a facility of similar scale (100+ employees, multi-shift operations).· Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and production systems.· Demonstrated ability to lead large teams and drive cultural and operational change.Preferred· Experience specifically in rigid box, paperboard packaging, or specialty converting.· Lean Six Sigma certification.· Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making.Key Competencies· Strong leadership presence and communication skills.· Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex operational data.· High sense of urgency and ownership.· Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on problem solving.· Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.