Plant Operations Manager

Southern Textile Service•South Hill, VA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Southern Textile Service is seeking a hands-on, results-driven General Manager to lead and oversee daily operations in a heavy industrial production environment. We are a regional, family-owned and professionally managed company that has been in business since 1934. The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the facility, including production, labor utilization, equipment performance, quality, safety, maintenance, and financial results. This position plays a critical role in achieving corporate objectives through effective leadership, operational discipline, and continuous improvement. This is not a desk management position. Approximately 50% of your day will be spent driving production. The successful candidate must be actively engaged in daily operations, working alongside supervisors and production teams to ensure production goals are met. The General Manager is responsible for developing a high-performance team, maintaining a safe and productive work environment, and ensuring the facility operates efficiently while meeting customer expectations.

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 is a must. Must be actively involved in daily production activities and lead from the plant floor.
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 with the ability to make timely decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
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.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee daily operations in a heavy industrial production environment.
Ensure the overall performance of the facility, including production, labor utilization, equipment performance, quality, safety, maintenance, and financial results.
Achieve corporate objectives through effective leadership, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
Drive production, spending approximately 50% of the day in this capacity.
Actively engage in daily operations, working alongside supervisors and production teams to ensure production goals are met.
Develop a high-performance team.
Maintain a safe and productive work environment.
Ensure the facility operates efficiently while meeting customer expectations.
Manage workforce scheduling, staffing levels, labor costs, and production priorities.
Prepare and present operational and financial reports to corporate leadership.