Plant Manager - Glass Manufacturing Complex

Location: Defiance, OH | Job Type: Full-time | Travel: Periodic, about 11 to 29 days per year

About the role

Lead one of a global manufacturer's largest and most visible operations, driving major capital investments that will shape the future of a multi-site manufacturing complex.

Responsibilities

• Lead two manufacturing facilities, an offsite warehouse, and a customer service building
• Oversee a unionized workforce of 600+ hourly and 60+ salaried employees
• Drive year-over-year improvement in safety and environmental performance
• Raise throughput, yield, uptime, and quality through lean manufacturing
• Lead major capital projects, including furnace rebuilds, automation, and capacity expansion
• Deliver operating results against budget, including cost, working capital, and inventory
• Build an engaged, accountable culture and develop leadership succession pipelines
• Maintain productive labor relations while driving performance
• Represent the complex with community stakeholders, regulators, customers, and senior leadership

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (engineering or technical degree preferred)
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, including 5+ years as a Plant Manager or equivalent senior site leader
• Union environment experience leading hourly and salaried workforces
• Background in glass, ceramics, or metals manufacturing
• Proven record improving safety, productivity, quality, cost, and engagement
• P&L and capital program management experience
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Kepner-Tregoe, or similar disciplines
• Experience with environmental permitting, regulatory agencies, and safety leadership
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship

Skills

• Furnace rebuild or high-temperature process experience
• Multi-site plant leadership
• Experience leading multiple unions

Pay

$220,000 to $240,000 per year

Benefits

High-visibility, career-accelerating role with senior leadership exposure