Assistant Plant Manager

About the role

The Assistant Plant Manager is responsible for aligning demand, planning, and execution across the Warwick site. This role is particularly focused on planning and S&OP leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the end-to-end site planning function, including demand alignment, production scheduling, and capacity planning.

• Develop and manage a Master Production Schedule (MPS) that aligns customer demand with labor availability, equipment capacity, and material constraints.

• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Service, and Supply Chain to translate forecasts into executable operational plans.

• Drive S&OP / SIOP discipline at the site level, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, and operational capabilities.

• Lead scenario planning and contingency planning, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies—especially in preparation for peak season.

• Establish, monitor, and continuously improve planning KPIs, including: Forecast accuracy, Schedule attainment & adherence, Capacity utilization, Labor plan vs. actual, Inventory performance.

• Lead pre-season planning strategy, including workforce modeling, capacity analysis, and inventory positioning.

• Build and execute peak-readiness plans to ensure the site can scale efficiently and meet customer expectations during demand surges.

• Conduct post-season reviews to identify opportunities for improvement in forecasting, planning accuracy, and execution.

• Translate planning outputs into disciplined operational execution across Materials, Manufacturing, and Distribution.

• Own and drive on-time delivery (OTD) through strong planning, scheduling, and execution rigor.

• Lead daily operations with a focus on Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC) performance.

• Conduct daily Gemba walks and operational reviews, identifying gaps between plan and execution and driving rapid problem-solving.

• Ensure alignment between production schedules and floor-level execution, adjusting plans as needed based on real-time conditions.

• Support development and execution of the annual operating budget, including labor, materials, and operational costs.

• Align staffing plans and labor strategies to demand forecasts and production plans.

• Participate in forecasting cycles and ensure financial implications of planning decisions are well understood and managed.

• Lead and develop a team of functional leaders across Planning, Materials, Manufacturing, and Distribution.

• Build strong planning and operational capabilities within the organization through coaching, development plans, and succession planning.

• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Lead through influence, trust, and clear communication across all levels of the organization.

• Identify and implement process improvements across planning and operational workflows to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and accuracy.

• Lead initiatives to improve planning maturity, including systems utilization (ERP/MRP), data accuracy, and decision-making processes.

• Serve as a key leader in technology implementations and process transformations impacting planning and operations.

Requirements

• 5–7+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, supply chain, production planning, or distribution.

• Demonstrated experience owning or leading production planning, scheduling, or S&OP/SIOP processes.

• Proven ability to translate demand forecasts into executable operational plans in complex or seasonal environments.

• Strong experience with capacity planning, labor modeling, and inventory management.

• Track record of improving forecast accuracy, schedule adherence, and operational performance metrics.

• Experience leading teams and influencing cross-functional partners.

• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and planning tools.

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

• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced, and seasonal peak environments.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a manufacturing environment for extended periods (10+ hours).
• Frequent bending, reaching, and handling of materials.
• Work in moderate to high noise environments.

Additional Expectations

• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and peak-season schedules as required.
• Travel up to 10% to other facilities and offsite meetings.