Plant Manager

BBB | Better Business Bureau • Flat Rock, IL

11d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for building, enabling, and inspiring a team to execute the operating plan. You’ll be a boots-on-the-ground leader of a facility sized at 25-35,000 sqft, with approximately 60+ team members, overseeing day-to-day operations, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and making data-driven decisions to meet daily, monthly, and annual performance targets. This is an exceptional opportunity to make an immediate impact in a fast-growing, customer-centered organization. We’re looking for a leader who is curious and entrepreneurial, and who never settles for the status quo—someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about operational excellence and sustainable manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing operations management experience, managing teams of 60+.
• Experience managing an operation with annual revenue of $25 million or more.
• Proven success in managing controllable cost budgets and using KPIs to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and soft skills, with the ability to lead, influence, and inspire.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10%, with more travel required during the first 60 days for onboarding and training.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into daily actionable items and mid- and longer-term strategies.
• Proven experience fostering an inclusive safety culture and maintaining an EHS-compliant facility.
• A natural curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo, continuously seeking better ways to serve customers and improve operations.
• Experience maintaining production while improving quality and sustaining on-time customer delivery.
• Should be able to work in environments with variable noise levels, lighting conditions, and temperature variation, and to access all areas of the building without limitations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a hands-on Operations Leader in a fast-paced, process-driven manufacturing environment focused on remanufacturing automotive lights.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for fulfilling customer orders, while championing sustainable manufacturing practices that reduce waste and extend product life cycles.
• Motivate, coach, develop, and build a championship team. This is a people-driven process.
• Lead and manage accurate inventory levels, efficient workflows, and appropriate staffing to align with the operational plan and strategic objectives.
• Instill urgency and accountability across the team to meet and exceed performance targets through clearly defined KPIs.
• Champion continuous improvement by applying proven methodologies to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and enhance overall efficiency.
• Foster a culture of safety and compliance, ensuring the facility meets OSHA and company standards while providing a clean, hazard-free environment for all team members.
• Ensure inventory accuracy and lead best-in-class inventory management practices.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration, leveraging strong communication and soft skills to hire, onboard, coach, develop, and retain top talent.
• Demonstrating a passion for quality in every aspect of operations—from product handling to customer delivery—is paramount to our success.

Benefits

• Growth & Development – Whether you’re on the production floor, in engineering, or part of our corporate team, we invest in your success through training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager