Plant Manager

About the role

Techo-Bloc is expanding into South Carolina with a new state-of-the-art facility in Cayce. We’re looking for founding leaders who want to shape a plant from day one: its people, its standards, and its culture. Techo-Bloc is a successful, entrepreneurial, growth-oriented, and fast-paced company that inspires artscapes across North America with innovative design and an exceptional dedication to quality. With 9 manufacturing facilities (soon to be 10), 30 international patents, and over 850 employees, we operate in an exciting and dynamic environment.

Location: Cayce, South Carolina

Travel: Spend Monday–Friday training in Pen Argyl, PA (possibly 3–6 months)

In the first year you will:

• Lead the plant from equipment commissioning through startup and ramp-up to full production.
• Build your leadership team and workforce from the ground up, hiring the people who will define this plant’s culture.
• Establish the safety, quality, and operating standards — the routines, KPIs, and daily rhythms — that become “how we do things here.”
• Partner with Maintenance, Planning, Logistics, HR, and Customer Service to bring a brand-new operation online and deliver for our customers.
• Turn state-of-the-art equipment into best-in-class results, using production data to drive efficiency from day one.
• Be the face of the new plant as a Techo-Bloc ambassador — with your team, across the organization, and in the community.

Position summary: Manage all aspects of the plant, facility, production, planning activities, costs, and employees. Responsible for how effectively the assigned work facility functions. Oversee daily production operations, ensure all safety procedures are followed, and meet all production goals. Ownership of the facility’s performance.

Responsibilities

• Planning
  • Work with planning to optimize output (e.g., faster change-over, wet vs. dry, paver to wall).
  • Plan with maintenance the best time to repair, replace, or do preventive maintenance.
  • Plan and share resources to optimize productivity and reduce costs.
  • With the support of HR, develop training programs and ensure succession plans (backups).
  • Define roles and responsibilities for direct reports and establish short-term and long-term objectives.
  • Develop and promote key players.
• Communication
  • Positively influence changes; speak as a Techo-Bloc ambassador.
  • Be seen and heard as a leader.
  • Constant communication with other managers, Maintenance, Fleet Manager, Yard/Logistics Manager, HR, and Customer Service to ensure the most productive and cost-effective plan.
  • Foster a partnership environment.
  • Communicate, implement, and apply policies and procedures.
  • Communicate administrative needs or requirements to HR and others for support.
  • Develop an autonomous workforce: give responsibility, recognize positive results, and hold accountable when not delivered.
  • Motivate personnel; positive influence; lead by example.
• Verification
  • Constant verification of all equipment to ensure proper functioning and detect potential problems before they occur.
  • Use data from reports to identify areas of improvement, reduce waste, reduce breakdowns, and improve efficiencies.
  • Track and communicate efficiency from start to finish (sand to finished saleable product).
  • Verify costs and expenses prior to making decisions (budget).
  • Constant verification of products to ensure superior quality and reduce scrap & waste.
  • Verify checklists, visual checklists, and ensure all equipment is inspected daily.
• Deliver Results
  • Manufacture in the most efficient, productive, and cost-effective manner.
  • Review efficiency, cost, and production reports daily; identify the top 3 losses/problem areas and make necessary corrections, adjustments, or improvements.
  • Optimize machine performance, efficiency, and productivity to meet targets.
  • Support and participate in developing the business plan; deliver results and be held accountable.
  • Customer service oriented: commit to making what is on the schedule on time.

Qualifications

• Required Skills/Abilities
  • Excellent proven people leadership and change management skills.
  • Ability to quickly establish credibility to develop and maintain excellent business relations both internally and externally.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Mechanically inclined with basic knowledge of electronics and programmable controllers, with excellent troubleshooting skills.
  • Strong abilities in planning, organizing, project management, and problem solving.
  • Willingness to work flexible manufacturing schedules including nights, weekends, etc. when needs demand (role designed as Monday–Friday full-time).
  • Experience with Microsoft D365 or Microsoft Power BI a plus.
• Essential Characteristics
  • Loyalty, honesty, humbleness, and transparency.
  • Strong work ethic; always consider the Company’s best interest before making a decision.
  • Deliver results with the highest quality standards — never accept mediocrity.
  • Customer-oriented approach.
• Education and Experience
  • 7+ years of work experience in a production or operations management position (preference given to candidates with concrete paver stamping equipment and industry experience).
  • B.S. in engineering, business management, or related discipline preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Short-Term &