Plant Manager (Iowa)

ENGINEERED PRODUCTS CO LLC•Estherville, IA

1d•$75 - $80•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Manager (Estherville, Iowa facility) is responsible for the end‑to‑end operation of the Estherville, Iowa facility, including production, assembly, warehousing, shipping/receiving, safety, quality, and workforce leadership. This role is accountable for meeting production targets, maintaining safe and efficient operations, and building the operational foundation to support planned growth. This position reports to the corporate Manufacturing Manager and serves as the on‑site operational leader for Iowa.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of process improvement methodologies like Lean Six Sigma
Ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Expertise in data analysis, problem-solving, and using data to drive decisions.
Ability to implement successful change initiatives within an organization.
3–7 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a plant‑level, production, or operations leadership role
Experience leading day‑to‑day operations in a non‑union manufacturing or warehouse environment, including production, assembly, and materials flow
Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop frontline employees and supervisors in a hands-on, floor-based setting
Working knowledge of safety practices and OSHA compliance, with a practical approach to incident prevention and safe work behaviors
Exposure to continuous improvement practices (Lean, waste reduction, standard work), with the ability to identify and execute incremental improvements
Experience tracking and responding to operational metrics such as productivity, labor efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery
Comfort partnering with cross-functional teams to execute plans and support facility growth
Experience working in small or growing operations where leaders wear multiple hats and systems are still maturing

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ERP systems, production scheduling, inventory control, or warehouse management systems preferred
Familiarity with label printing software and inventory management systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead all daily plant operations, including production, assembly, warehousing, and logistics
Translate company production goals into executable plans for the Estherville facility
Drive efficiency, throughput, schedule adherence, and on‑time delivery
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, waste reduction, layout optimization)
Directly oversee and develop a workforce of ~25 hourly and salaried employees (growing)
Responsible for developing strong frontline leadership, accountability, and engagement
Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, performance management, and workforce planning
Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, and operational discipline
Own facility‑level OSHA compliance, safety training, and incident prevention
Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards
Lead corrective actions related to safety, quality, or operational issues
Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures
Partner cross‑functionally to resolve root‑cause issues impacting quality or rework
Champion a mindset of process improvement and operational excellence
Oversee warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory control, storage, and shipping
Ensure material availability aligns with production schedules
Implement controls to improve inventory accuracy and flow
Manage labor efficiency, overtime, scrap, and plant‑level cost control
Track and report key metrics: productivity, safety, quality, delivery, and labor performance
Support annual planning and budgeting efforts for the Estherville facility
Prepare the operation for headcount and volume growth through better systems, training, and layout.
Support capital planning and equipment needs as the facility scales