Plant Manager

About the role

The Plant Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and cost-efficiency targets are achieved. This role oversees daily plant performance, workforce management, production planning, equipment and facility maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives. In addition, this role plays a critical leadership role in launching a new facility, including operational readiness planning, equipment installation, process setup, staffing, and commissioning to support Voltage’s growth plans.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
  • Lead all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality, safety, warehousing, and logistics.
  • Convert organizational goals into daily operational plans and performance targets.
  • Ensure production schedules meet customer delivery requirements and cost objectives.
  • Drive operational excellence through Lean, 5S, Kaizen, or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Maintain a safe working environment aligned with OSHA and company EHS standards.
  • Partner with safety on corrective and preventive actions for safety and quality incidents.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal quality standards across all manufacturing processes.
  • Drive a proactive safety culture with accountability at all levels.
• Team Leadership & Workforce Management
  • Manage and develop a cross-functional operations team including supervisors, leads, and production staff.
  • Oversee staffing, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and ownership.
  • Ensure production teams are trained and capable of meeting safety, quality, and productivity goals.
• Production Planning & Execution
  • Monitor and adjust daily/weekly production plans, staffing levels, and resource allocation.
  • Ensure consistent achievement of KPIs such as OEE, scrap rate, downtime, labor efficiency, and on-time delivery.
  • Collaborate closely with Supply Chain to ensure material availability and inventory accuracy.
  • Identify bottlenecks and manage real-time adjustments to maintain production flow.
• Facility & Equipment Management
  • Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime.
  • Ensure equipment is installed, calibrated, and maintained to meet operational requirements.
  • Manage facility upkeep and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Budgeting & Cost Control
  • Develop, manage, and track the plant’s operating budget and capital expenditures.
  • Monitor cost drivers and identify efficiency improvements.
  • Present operational performance and improvement plans to senior leadership.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Champion process improvement initiatives that enhance throughput, quality, safety, and cost efficiency.
  • Introduce best practices, automation, and technology enhancements as appropriate.
  • Standardize manufacturing processes and documentation across operations.
• New Facility Planning & Pre-Launch
  • Collaborate with executive leadership, construction teams, and engineering to execute the operational blueprint for the new facility.
  • Provide input on plant layout, workflow design, equipment specification, and material flow.
  • Establish pre-launch project milestones, timelines, and risk mitigations.
  • Create all site-specific operational SOPs, work instructions, and collaborate on safety procedures.
• Equipment Installation & Commissioning
  • Lead coordination of equipment delivery, installation, calibration, and testing.
  • Validate equipment performance and ensure availability for production ramp-up.
  • Manage vendor relationships during installation and commissioning phases.
  • Oversee acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) and resolve technical issues prior to go-live.
• Building the Workforce
  • Develop a phased staffing plan aligned with build-out, initial production, and scale-up.
  • Partner with HR to hire supervisors, leads, operators, quality inspectors, maintenance technicians, and warehouse staff.
  • Provide input for the creation of training programs for onboarding and technical skills development.
  • Establish shift structures, labor models, and workforce planning tools.
• Ramp-Up & Stabilization
  • Track and optimize KPIs during the first 90–180 days of operation.
  • Identify early bottlenecks and implement rapid improvement measures.
  • Align production capacity with sales forecasts and customer demand.
  • Build a structured continuous improvement roadmap for the first 12–18 months.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 5+ in a Plant Manager or Senior Operations role.
• Proven experience in equipment installation, plant startup, or new facility launch highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of production planning, lean manufacturing, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale high-performing teams.

Preferred

• Experience in manufacturing, production, or assembly operations.
• Experience with ERP/Manufacturing Execution Systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.).
• Six Sigma, PMP, or Lean certification.

Key Competencies

• Strong project management and startup execution skills
• Operational excellence mindset
• Data-driven problem solving
• Ability to lead through change
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
• High accountability and ownership

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on the production floor for extended periods, including standing, walking, and navigating around machinery.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 75 lbs as needed.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions (heat, cold, noise) typical of a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).