Assistant Plant Manager

About the role

The Deputy Plant Manager supports the overall leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of the USAZ production facility. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this role oversees production operations, drives operational excellence, and contributes to the development of future plant leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations
• Partner with the Plant Manager to execute site objectives, operational priorities, and continuous improvement plans
• Coordinate production, maintenance, quality, warehouse, and supply chain activities to achieve production, cost, and service targets
• Improve operational discipline, shift execution, communication, and accountability across the plant
• Monitor KPIs and operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reliability, and profitability
• Support the transition from reactive operations toward a more structured, performance-driven operating model
• Provide leadership presence on the production floor and support off-shift operations as required
• Act as site operational leader in the absence of the Plant Manager
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, root cause analysis, problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Analyze production, quality, downtime, maintenance, and cost data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Lead or support process optimization, capacity improvement, and operational excellence projects
• Promote visual management, standard work, performance boards, and daily operational reviews
• Develop a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and operational excellence
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, operators, and production personnel
• Support workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, succession planning, and employee development initiatives
• Conduct performance reviews, establish development plans, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback
• Promote cross-training and the development of future shift leaders and operational talent
• Perform all work in compliance with health and safety standards, environmental requirements, and quality systems
• Champion a strong safety culture focused on hazard identification, risk prevention, and employee engagement
• Support internal and external audits, corrective action programs, and management system compliance
• Reinforce high standards for housekeeping, documentation, traceability, sanitation, and operational discipline
• Support budget development and management of operational costs, including labor, maintenance, and consumables
• Collaborate with regional and functional teams to achieve operational and strategic objectives
• Aid in developing long-term organizational capability and succession plans for key operational positions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related discipline preferred
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing or industrial operations experience
• Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in a production, operations, maintenance, or plant management environment
• Experience in mineral processing, food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bulk material handling, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred
• Proven track record of leading teams, improving plant performance, and implementing operational improvements
• Experience supporting GMP, food safety, FDA-regulated, or quality-driven manufacturing environments is considered a strong asset