Plant Manager

We are looking for a Plant Manager for our Elgin, IL facility. The Plant Manager leads strategic and operational efforts to ensure exceptional service delivery and business growth within the surface technologies services sector. This role is responsible for aligning plant operations with customer requirements, overseeing key initiatives, and driving continuous improvement across safety, quality, and efficiency. The Plant Manager defines and allocates resources to meet evolving customer and business needs, monitors performance across critical metrics—including workforce, cost control, and KPIs—and takes decisive action to optimize outcomes and support long-term success.

We offer

Aside from a dynamic global culture and leading market position, we are proud to offer our employees development opportunities, competitive salary and a robust benefit program ALL available on first day of employment!

The perks and benefits of working at Oerlikon include the following:

Comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan with low premiums, company sponsored HSA contributions and without cumbersome waiting periods to keep you going strong.
Excellent Dental and Vision coverage.
Employee Assistance, Financial and Wellness programs to help improve all aspects of your life journey.
401(k) retirement savings plan with significant company match and financial planning and education options to help you achieve your retirement goals
Tuition reimbursement and internal education resources to satisfy your love of learning so you can continue to grow with us!
Generous paid time off to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
12 paid company holidays to occasionally extend your weekends or time off.
100% company paid life insurance and disability insurance
Employee Referral Bonus program because why not to bring your friends to work every day!

Your Responsibilities

Lead operational activities across all Services Segment/Product Lines (Cutting Tools, Forming Tools, Precision Components, Thin Film Automotive) to support plant performance.
Develop and implement strategic operations plans to enhance customer service levels.
Drive profitable growth aligned with Oerlikon’s strategy through efficient daily operations.
Support strategic initiatives through effective project management and execution.
Ensure standardized internal and external processes across the assigned area.
Establish and optimize operational practices, including portfolio management, shift planning, training, and preventive maintenance.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement to meet Oerlikon Operations Efficiency (OOE) targets.
Define, monitor, and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as On-Time Delivery, Cost of Non-Quality, Profitability, Customer Care, and Preventive Maintenance.
Ensure a safe work environment by adhering to HSE standards and achieving safety goals.
Promote and sustain a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and 6S methodology.
Collaborate with Quality teams on customer-focused projects.
Maintain strong customer relationships through proactive engagement.
Provide clear direction to teams in alignment with Oerlikon Core Values.
Manage monthly forecasting to meet cost and efficiency objectives.
Lead by example, cultivate team spirit, and mentor future leaders.
Own accountability for customer service levels and key financial metrics.

Your Profile

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
Minimum of 3 years managing teams in a manufacturing or production environment.
Demonstrated experience in managing production cycles and ensuring on-time product delivery in a manufacturing setting.
Proficient in developing, tracking, and acting on key performance indicators (KPIs).
Strong engineering foundation with excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear and compelling presentations.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Strong engineering foundation with excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear and compelling presentations.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Why Oerlikon:

Technology and sustainable innovation are our business. Throughout our organization, each employee feels a connection to that mission and to our passion for engineering solutions the world needs today and tomorrow. As we embrace our role in building a better future, we celebrate the teams that have the power to bring that vision to life.

#joinoerlikonus #joinourteam

Are you curious? Then release your passion to succeed and APPLY to discover how you can help us build a better world and realize how you can make a personal difference by joining our global team! Our commitment is your success!

Oerlikon is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the current compensation range for this position, which is $115,000 to $135,000 annual base salary. Some positions within Oerlikon may also offer eligibility to participate in a discretionary incentive program. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for the role will be based on a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, internal equity, job location, work experience, education, training, certifications, licenses, etc. Therefore, as compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each individual, it is likely that not all applicants will be hired at the highest end of the listed compensation range. Our total compensation package goes beyond base compensation and it will include a competitive benefits package starting with 2 weeks paid time off accrued on a monthly basis, 12 holidays, 48 hours personal/sick time (exception for NY where we follow State law,) medical, dental, vision, 401K, holidays, pet insurance and tuition reimbursement all effective day one of hire.

About us

Oerlikon is a global innovation powerhouse for surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing in key industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, tooling and textiles. We serve as a key partner in enabling our customers to reach their targets for optimizing the performance, function and sustainability of their products and manufacturing processes. Our solutions reduce emissions in transportation, maximize longevity and performance of tools, increase energy efficiency and advance intelligent material and sustainable polymer processing. These achievements are proven hallmarks of our global leadership.

Oerlikon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here Know Your Rights.

If you are unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact us at Americas.hr@oerlikon.com or recruiter.us@oerlikon.com. This contact information is for accessibility requests only and is not intended for inquiries about the status of applications or for third party vendors / agencies inquiries or requests.

Oerlikon will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Learn more about Oerlikon: https://www.oerlikon.com/en/brands/

*EQOB

Agencies:

Oerlikon only accepts agency resumes for positions that have been explicitly approved by HR for third-party support. We work exclusively with our approved vendors who have agreed to Oerlikon’s terms and conditions and have an executed contract in place. Any resumes or profiles submitted to Oerlikon employees for roles not approved and requested by HR will be considered unsolicited, and Oerlikon will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.