Assistant Plant Manager

Metal Technologies is a premier metal casting company that uses modern technology and a highly productive workforce to produce the best quality product. Since 1997, we have been a privately held, family-owned company producing high quality gray iron, ductile iron, austempered ductile, and value-added machining for a variety of industries. Each foundry has unique processes and capabilities that complement specific product families and specifications. As a growing company, we offer a wide range of challenging and exciting career opportunities.

MTI is committed to building and maintaining a culture of excellence through an adherence to our values: Faith, Family, Spirit, Grit, Vision, and Rigor. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment with a variety of benefits aimed at supporting healthy, balanced lives for better work performance.

About the Role

The Assistant Plant Manager is a developmental leadership position designed to prepare high-potential leaders for future Plant Manager opportunities within Metal Technologies. Working closely with the Plant Manager, this role develops leadership, operational, financial, and strategic competencies necessary to successfully lead a manufacturing facility. The Assistant Plant Manager partners with department managers across Operations, Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Human Resources, Scheduling, and other functional areas to improve safety, quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, and profitability. This position progressively assumes broader operational leadership responsibilities while serving as the designated backup to the Plant Manager.

Responsibilities

• Plant Operations:
  • Assist in directing the overall operation of the manufacturing facility to safely meet customer, operational, quality, and financial objectives.
  • Coordinate daily plant priorities across all functional departments.
  • Support the achievement of production schedules while maintaining safety, quality, delivery, and cost expectations.
  • Monitor plant performance metrics and assist in identifying improvement opportunities.
  • Support implementation of company initiatives and operational strategies.
• Leadership Development:
  • Partner with department managers to improve communication, teamwork, and operational execution.
  • Coach and support department managers in achieving departmental goals.
  • Facilitate daily production meetings and cross-functional planning meetings.
  • Help resolve operational barriers impacting plant performance.
  • Lead plant-wide projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
  • Learn to lead through department managers rather than through direct supervision of frontline employees.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:
  • Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives supporting: Safety, Quality, Productivity, Equipment utilization, Cost reduction, Delivery performance, Employee engagement.
  • Support Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
  • Utilize plant metrics and data to drive operational decisions.
  • Encourage collaboration between departments to improve overall plant performance.
• Financial & Business Development:
  • Development Phase:
    • Gain knowledge of plant budgeting processes.
    • Participate in monthly financial reviews.
    • Develop understanding of: Profit & Loss statements, Labor efficiency, Material costs, Capital expenditures, Inventory management, Operational cost drivers.
  • Progressive Responsibility:
    • Participate in preparing annual operating and capital budgets.
    • Assist in identifying cost reduction opportunities.
    • Support financial improvement initiatives.
    • Learn to evaluate return on investment for capital projects.
    • Assist with tracking plant financial performance and key business metrics.
• Customer & Business Relationships:
  • Participate in customer visits, audits, and business reviews.
  • Support customer issue resolution in partnership with department managers.
  • Develop relationships with customers, suppliers, and corporate support functions.
  • Represent the plant during customer interactions as assigned.
• Safety & Compliance:
  • Champion a culture where safety is the highest priority.
  • Support compliance with OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, and company policies.
  • Participate in safety reviews, investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Promote accountability for safe work practices throughout the organization.
• Acting Plant Manager:
  • Serve as the designated backup for the Plant Manager.
  • Assume responsibility for day-to-day plant operations during the Plant Manager's absence.
  • Coordinate department managers to ensure operational continuity.
  • Make operational decisions within delegated authority.
  • Escalate significant safety, customer, financial, or operational issues appropriately.
  • Represent the plant in meetings with customers, suppliers, corporate leadership, and community partners when necessary.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading teams or departments.
• Proven ability to drive operational improvements.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence and lead through department managers.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of manufacturing operations and production systems.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles.
• Working knowledge of budgeting and financial analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong customer relationship and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and company software systems.
• Working knowledge of APQP, IATF 16949, and customer requirements preferred.
• Knowledge of foundry operations, maintenance systems, engineering, and quality systems preferred.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Foundry or heavy manufacturing experience.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training.
• Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading multiple functional departments.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent interaction with employees, customers, suppliers, and corporate leadership.
• Occasional travel for customer visits, corporate meetings, and leadership development.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Ability to frequently walk throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees and external stakeholders.