Plant Manager

The Manufacturing Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and culture of the 1NL manufacturing operations, overseeing a site of approximately 250 associates with direct responsibility for 125 associates. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership to the production and training teams to ensure safety, quality, cost, and delivery goals are consistently achieved while fostering a positive, engaged, and high-performing workforce. This position plays a critical role in advancing operational excellence, developing strong frontline leadership, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Location: This is an onsite position reporting to our manufacturing plant in New London, NC.
Key Responsibilities:
Safety, Quality & Compliance
Maintain full accountability for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) performance.
Ensure all associates are trained and compliant with safety, quality, and production procedures.
Champion a proactive safety culture where risks are identified, mitigated, and prevented.
Site & People Leadership
Provide overall leadership and direction for production and training team.
Lead, coach, and develop frontline leaders to strengthen leadership capability, accountability, and engagement across the site.
Foster a culture that reflects company core values, promotes positive associate relations, and encourages open communication.
Build and sustain strong, high-performing teams through effective talent development, performance management, and succession planning.
Operational Excellence
Ensure production goals for safety, quality, cost, and delivery are consistently met or exceeded.
Lead the execution of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes and reduce waste.
Drive cost, quality, and safety improvements through data-driven decision-making and standardized performance metrics.
Establish and maintain clear operational standards that are measured, monitored, and continuously improved.
Strategy & Growth
Develop and execute manufacturing strategies and operational plans aligned with business growth initiatives and corporate objectives.
Play a key leadership role in new product introductions, ensuring readiness, execution excellence, and successful ramp-up.
Partner cross-functionally with corporate teams to support long-term capacity, capability, and process improvements.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations or related field preferred.
7+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated success leading managers and frontline leaders in a production setting.
Proven ability to build, develop, and sustain high-performing teams.
Strong track record of meeting production, safety, quality, and cost objectives.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing-related computer systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading multi-process manufacturing operations (e.g., PE, PVC, extrusion, or similar).
Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience (Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar).
Strong change management and communication skills.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No