Plant Manager

Fortune Brands • New London, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Engineering or Business 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan.
• Robust health plans
• Market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution
• Product discounts
• Flexible time off benefits
• Adoption benefits
• Numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups)

What This Job Offers

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