Plant Operations Manager

Southern Textile Service, Inc.•South Hill, VA

10d•$110,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

Southern Textile Service is seeking a hands-on, results-driven leader to oversee daily operations at its heavy industrial production facility in South Hill, Virginia. The position is responsible for overall facility performance, including production, labor utilization, equipment performance, quality, safety, maintenance, and financial results. The role contributes to corporate objectives through effective leadership, operational discipline, and continuous improvement. This is an active, plant-floor leadership role rather than a desk management position; approximately 50% of the workday is spent driving production alongside supervisors and production teams. The successful candidate will develop a high-performance team, maintain a safe and productive work environment, operate the facility efficiently, and meet customer expectations. The role also carries full responsibility for plant-level financial performance and budgeted operating goals. Southern Textile Service, Inc. is a local, family-owned linen rental supply and commercial laundry company serving hospitality, first-class lodging, healthcare, and small-business customers. The company states that it is dedicated to resource conservation and social responsibility.

Requirements

Knowledge of production equipment, industrial machinery, and manufacturing processes.
Ability to evaluate production workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to increase throughput and efficiency.
Understanding of labor utilization, equipment utilization, production rates, and manufacturing performance metrics.
Experience with preventive maintenance programs, equipment reliability, and coordination with maintenance personnel.
Knowledge of quality control procedures, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to analyze production data and use performance metrics to drive operational improvements.
Hands-on leadership and active involvement in daily production activities are required.
Ability to lead, motivate, and develop supervisors, team leaders, and production employees through direct engagement and accountability.
Demonstrated ability to establish clear expectations, monitor performance, and follow through on operational goals.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make timely decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Ability to manage workforce scheduling, staffing levels, labor costs, and production priorities.
Experience coaching and developing management and supervisory personnel.
Ability to build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Full responsibility for plant-level financial performance and achievement of budgeted operating goals.
Experience managing a plant profit and loss statement (P&L), including labor, maintenance, utilities, supplies, and other operating expenses.
Ability to develop and manage operating budgets, control costs, and improve profitability.
Experience establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), including production output, labor efficiency, equipment utilization, quality, safety, and cost per unit.
Ability to identify opportunities to reduce operating costs while maintaining quality, safety, and service standards.
Experience setting performance goals, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring accountability.
Ability to prepare and present operational and financial reports to corporate leadership.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily facility operations and overall performance, including production, labor utilization, equipment performance, quality, safety, maintenance, and financial results.
Actively drive production from the plant floor alongside supervisors and production teams to meet production goals.
Develop, motivate, and hold supervisors, team leaders, and production employees accountable; coach and develop management and supervisory personnel.
Set clear expectations, performance goals, and priorities; delegate responsibilities and monitor performance against operational goals.
Manage workforce scheduling, staffing levels, labor costs, and production priorities.
Evaluate production workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to throughput and efficiency.
Coordinate preventive maintenance and equipment reliability efforts with maintenance personnel.
Build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while maintaining regulatory compliance and quality standards.
Manage plant-level financial performance, including the P&L, operating budgets, labor, maintenance, utilities, supplies, and other operating expenses.
Establish and monitor KPIs for production output, labor efficiency, equipment utilization, quality, safety, and cost per unit.
Identify cost-reduction opportunities while maintaining quality, safety, and service standards.
Analyze production data and use performance metrics to drive operational improvements.
Prepare and present operational and financial reports to corporate leadership.