Plant Manager

The Plant Manager will oversee all aspects of a manufacturing plant that produces architectural wood doors, and other wood products, ensuring performance metrics and quality goals are achieved. The individual will be expected to provide direction and leadership at the facility to drive continuous improvement and achieve annual / long-term goals. This position directs, manages, and coordinates the day-to-day manufacturing and distribution operations and is responsible for the efficient and
economical manufacturing of company products. The Plant Manager is directly accountable to lead the manufacturing organization to a level of performance identifiable with a world-class organization, using lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools. This position is also expected to develop team members through mentoring/coaching, training, cross-functional assignments, career path planning, and project involvement. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leadership responsibility for the plant in the areas of manufacturing, logistics, warehouse management, inventory control and on-time customer delivery / customer service • Responsibility of meeting the financial and production goals set for the site• Oversee the manufacturing activities to ensure maximum effectiveness is obtained to produce quality products within specified time and budgetary guidelines• Ensure plant productivity, efficiency, and quality requirements are met on both shifts• Recommend and assist CI Manager in executing successful Kaizen Events to improve plant efficiency• Provide exemplary leadership in a fast-paced environment subject to constant change while dealing with information and resource constraints• Establish, review, and monitor all plant metrics and Key Performance Indicator's (KPI's) to assess safety, productivity, customer service, quality, scrap, and cost management• Help with implementation of and continued adherence to Lean manufacturing and 5S initiatives• Accountable to ensure products meet or exceed customer quality standards• Develop and lead processes to identify opportunities to improve productivity and capacity (e.g. demand planning)
• Implement strategies and actions to increase efficiency, improve quality, improve on-time delivery, cost containment / reduction and ensure continuous improvement• Interface with Product Engineering and Sales/Marketing to coordinate the production processes for the introduction of new products• Maintain high product quality and manufacturing yield while ensuring optimal use of resources and adherences to best safety practices• Hire, coach, lead and develop management team members, including direct responsibility for Safety, HR, Maintenance, Engineering, and Continuous Improvement, as well as indirect responsibility for Purchasing and Customer Service• Promote a safe work environment, including identifying safety hazards and performing timely follow up on safety concerns and corrections• Partner and coordinate with Sales, Customer Service, Engineering, Materials, Maintenance, and other internal departments to resolve issues and concerns• Responsible for customer interaction including, but not limited to, plant tours, supplier visits, direct customer communications• Drive culture at the facility by leading with VT values and servant leadership• Be the site leader and face of VT, and obtain results through leadership / culture and numbers• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, with 10 years of relevant manufacturing experience — or an equivalent combination of management experience in lieu of a degree.
• At least 3 years in a management or operations leadership capacity in a manufacturing environment
• Expert knowledge of operations including manufacturing, supply chain, warehouse management, process engineering and customer service
• Must have experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and / or six sigma practices
• Strong business acumen and thought leadership, with the demonstrated ability to translate business needs into effective actions
• Drive for results, demonstrated success serving business clients and experience in developing and implementing change initiatives
• Advanced degree or MBA a plus
• Highly effective project management skills with a complete understanding of manufacturing processes and the ability to integrate multiple resources for integrated solutions
• Strong communication, influencing, and consulting skills with a proven track record in quickly gaining credibility, partnering collaboratively with managers / leaders
• Collaborative decision-making and work style, and comfortable with working through gray areas
• Strong problem solving and ability to assess the needs of the business and design and implement the best solutions
• Ability to quickly learn, understand, and keep abreast of the drivers to company performance, the industry, customer segments, the business value proposition and how the company retains competitive advantage in the marketplace
• Strong written/oral communication, effective presentation skills, team and leadership development, conflict resolution, and organizational influence skills
• All team members are expected to follow the Code of Conduct to the highest standards as well as to adhere to the Attendance Policy of VT Industries
Professional Characteristics
• Demonstrated leadership ability to deliver safety, quality, productivity, and customer service goals
• Strong people leader who has built high performing teams
• Must have the ability to collaborate, influence others and build consensus and commitment to a recommended direction while managing multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, mentor, develop and guide a team of managers and professionals, ensuring accountability and personal development
• Decisive with a sense of urgency to deliver results
• Proven operations leadership including subject matter expertise and a track record in developing and executing strategies that provide value to both internal and external clients
• Entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to take the company to the next level
• A hands-on leader with unquestioned integrity and ethics, with a desire to work in a growing, dynamic, mission-driven, and values-based organization

Physical Requirements
Tolerance for sitting long periods of time. Possess finger dexterity to write, type, and use a calculator. Maintain adequate vision to view small print and computer terminal. Ability to speak and hear, walk throughout facilities with occasional light lifting (25 pounds), stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching with hands and arms required. Ability to travel between multiple facilities as required to perform core job duties. The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.