Production Plant Manager - CB4 - NM
About the Role
Axalta is seeking a Production Plant Manager to join our facility in Orrville, Ohio. Reporting to the Vice President of Global Operations Refinish, this role will develop and execute manufacturing strategies to meet Axalta’s business requirements, drive process excellence, implement cost-reduction improvements, and direct plant management, including Quality, Engineering, and EH&S. The position involves analyzing local plant requirements and collaborating cross-functionally with operations (internal/external manufacturing, supply chain, procurement) and other functions (businesses, R&D, HR, Finance, Legal). The successful candidate will leverage industry best practices and financial analysis to enhance operations performance and profitability, translating regional and global strategies into local execution while ensuring efficient product flow and best-in-class customer service.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all plant operations and facilities.
- Direct a 100+ employee operations organization, including 5-8 exempt direct reports.
- Full accountability for an integrated coatings facility, including production, warehousing, and maintenance.
- Foster a continuous improvement mindset to enhance quality, cost, delivery, and inventory daily.
- Provide strong leadership to Manufacturing, Quality, EH&S, and Engineering teams, building capabilities in these areas.
- Manage the operations budget through productivity improvements and quality control.
- Collaborate with Commercial and Technology teams to meet customer needs.
- Lead strategic capital investment projects and deliver expected outcomes.
- Drive operational excellence and discipline at the site.
- Be data-driven while implementing solutions with appropriate urgency.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience, including 5 years in operations with full P&L responsibility.
- Coatings experience strongly preferred.
- 5+ years leading teams of 50+ people.
- Strong financial and analytical skills; ability to develop and implement strategies to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Knowledge of chemical batch processing in a lean environment with high product customization.
- Experience with lean manufacturing, kaizen methodology, and production systems.
- Large capital project management skills preferred.
- Effective communication and influence skills; ability to enact change management and lead new initiatives.
- Strong bias for action and sense of urgency.
- Demonstrated ability to take calculated risks using creative and innovative thinking.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a demanding, fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed reporting structure.
About the Company
Axalta is a leader in the coatings industry, engineering technologies that protect products from heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, and chemicals while adding dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. Our portfolio supports modern infrastructure and next-generation electric and autonomous vehicles. Operating in two segments—Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings—we serve markets including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle, and Commercial Vehicle across North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. With a global footprint in over 140 countries, we coat 30 million vehicles annually and are committed to sustainability, including a 2040 carbon neutrality goal.
Pay
The expected compensation range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000 USD annually.
Benefits
This role is eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.