Plant Manager - MI
About the role
The Plant Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations within a DreamFields' production facility. This position oversees day-to-day production, processing, packaging, maintenance, inventory accuracy, quality, safety, labor planning, and regulatory compliance while ensuring operational excellence across the site.
Responsibilities
Direct Production, Processing, Packaging, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Manufacturing Support teams.
Ensure production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and on time.
Drive accountability and operational excellence across all manufacturing functions.
Build a culture focused on safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with company SOPs, GMP standards, OSHA regulations, and state cannabis regulations.
Execute daily and weekly production schedules to achieve customer demand and inventory targets.
Cook up and coordinate production priorities with Planning, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams.
Optimize staffing levels based on production forecasts and operational requirements.
Monitor manufacturing capacity and proactively remove production constraints.
Improve throughput while minimizing downtime and maximizing resource utilization.
Analyze operational trends and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
Own and improve key manufacturing KPIs, including: Production throughput, Schedule attainment, Labor productivity, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Yield, Scrap and waste reduction, Cost per unit, Downtime reduction, Attendance, Inventory accuracy, Customer service levels.
Continuous Improvement Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead Kaizen events and process improvement projects.
Standardize manufacturing processes and best practices.
Identify opportunities to increase production capacity while reducing costs.
Manage plant operating expenses and departmental budgets.
Monitor labor costs, overtime, manufacturing variances, and production expenses.
Support annual budgets, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
Identify opportunities to improve profitability through operational efficiencies.
Ensure spending remains within approved budget parameters.
Recruit, develop, coach, and retain manufacturing leaders and frontline supervisors.
Conduct performance evaluations and establish development plans.
Build organizational capability through succession planning and leadership development.
Foster employee engagement, accountability, and high performance.
Promote a collaborative and results-driven culture.
Manage production, maintenance, quality, inventory, and warehouse operations.
Manage operational budgets, labor planning, staffing strategies, and workforce optimization.
Partner with Engineering and Automation teams to improve equipment performance.
Partner with Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Compliance, Engineering, Automation, Maintenance, Human Resources, and Finance.
Develop, maintain, and present operational performance reporting and dashboards related to production, labor, quality, inventory, safety, and cost performance metrics.
Provide regular operational updates, performance reviews, and recommendations to the Regional Director of Manufacturing Operations.
Requirements
Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and capacity management.
Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence methodologies.
Strong understanding of KPI management, including throughput, OEE, yield, labor productivity, inventory accuracy, and cost performance.
Knowledge of quality systems, GMP standards, OSHA requirements, and regulated manufacturing environments.
Ability to analyze operational data and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
Proven ability to lead, develop, and coach managers, supervisors, and frontline employees.
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across Supply Chain, Quality, Compliance, Engineering, Maintenance, Human Resources, and Finance.
Experience leading facility expansions, automation initiatives, or large-scale process improvement programs.
Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations.
Experience operating within highly regulated production environments.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required.
Required Experience: 8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. 3+ years of experience in a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Senior Production Manager, or similar manufacturing leadership role.
Demonstrated leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success improving productivity, quality, throughput, and operational efficiency.
Preferred Education: Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field.
Preferred Industry Experience: Cannabis Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Consumer Products Manufacturing, Automotive Manufacturing, Other high-volume, regulated manufacturing environments.
Preferred Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, APICS CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management), APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), PMP (Project Management Professional).