Plant Manager

About the Role

As the Plant Manager at Vulcan, a premium brand under ITW Food Equipment Group, you will provide full site leadership and performance accountability for the Charlotte, North Carolina manufacturing facility. This role drives results across safety, quality, inventory, delivery, and productivity (SQIDP) while executing ITW’s enterprise strategy through proprietary toolbox methodologies and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant performance aligned to ITW’s 80/20 Front-to-Back strategy, focusing on high-value products, customers, and processes.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.
• Translate division priorities into clear, executable plant-level actions.
• Champion a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and simplification.
• Oversee plant-level financial performance, including cost control, productivity, and budget adherence.
• Partner with Finance to implement margin improvement and cost reduction initiatives.
• Ensure disciplined allocation of resources aligned to business priorities.
• Lead capital planning and execution for safety, productivity, and growth investments.
• Drive alignment between production schedules, labor, and material availability.
• Establish accountability for schedule attainment, inventory accuracy, and supplier performance.
• Remove barriers and align resources to meet customer demand.
• Partner closely with the on-site Engineering Manager and Sustaining Engineering team to ensure alignment between product design, manufacturability, and operational efficiency.
• Model and reinforce ITW’s Core Values, driving a safety-first culture aligned with “Every Accident is Preventable.”
• Partner with HR in a co-ownership model for employee relations, performance management, and development.
• Strengthen leadership capability to drive accountability, execution, and a strong leadership pipeline.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for building-related systems (security, fire protection, OSHA compliance).
• Ensure inspections, maintenance, and controls are functioning effectively.

Requirements

• 8+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to influence, lead teams, and collaborate cross-functionally while delivering results.
• Strong understanding of ITW principles (80/20, PLS, decentralized leadership) or similar operating models.
• Demonstrated ability to develop talent and build high-performing teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions using an 80/20 mindset.
• Strong financial acumen and operational decision-making capability.
• Hands-on leadership style with a strong plant floor presence.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills.

Benefits

• Be part of a respected global company with a reputation for quality and innovation.
• Enjoy a collaborative, people-first culture that values growth and creativity.
• Make a tangible impact with industry-leading brands trusted by professionals worldwide.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Work environment includes both plant floor and office settings.
• Approximately 10% travel required.
• Onsite at the Charlotte plant.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, lift 50 pounds, reach, and twist to complete job tasks.
• Must be able to wear all required PPE (e.g., safety glasses, steel/composite toe safety shoes).