Plant Manager

About the role

About the Opportunity Our client is a leading manufacturer serving the North American infrastructure market and is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead a large steel fabrication operation in Claremont, NH. This position offers full responsibility for plant performance, including safety, quality, production, employee development, customer delivery, and financial performance.The Plant Manager will serve as the senior leader on site, driving operational excellence while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. This individual will work closely with corporate operations leadership to ensure the facility consistently achieves performance goals related to safety, quality, productivity, cost control, and customer satisfaction.This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on manufacturing leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving operational processes, and creating a positive workplace culture within a complex industrial manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of plant operations, including manufacturing, fabrication, quality, shipping, receiving, warehousing, inventory management, and facility maintenance.
• Establish and execute operational strategies to meet production schedules, customer commitments, budget targets, and company objectives.
• Develop and mentor managers, supervisors, and plant personnel while building a strong succession pipeline within the organization.
• Create a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor key performance indicators and production metrics, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, throughput, quality, and cost performance.
• Lead employee relations activities, including workforce planning, coaching, performance management, training, and employee development.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste, simplify processes, and improve operational effectiveness.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic planning, capital projects, facility improvements, and long-term operational initiatives.
• Ensure proper utilization of labor, equipment, and facility resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate effectively across production, engineering, quality, maintenance, and supply chain functions.
• Review operational reports, analyze trends, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Manage departmental budgets and provide justification for capital expenditures and facility improvement projects.
• Oversee building, grounds, and equipment maintenance to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
• Foster open communication throughout the facility and maintain strong relationships between leadership and the workforce.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• Prior Plant Manager experience, or significant experience as a Production Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or Assistant Plant Manager in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Experience within steel fabrication, structural steel, bridge fabrication, metal fabrication, industrial manufacturing, or related industries.
• Proven success leading large teams in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, labor utilization, budgeting, inventory control, and operational metrics.
• Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Experience managing multiple priorities while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, and customer service.
• Familiarity with fabrication management, ERP, MRP, or production management systems; Strumis experience is a plus.
• Ability to build credibility with employees at all levels of the organization and lead organizational change effectively.

Skills

• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and employee development skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package and strong benefits offering.