Plant Manager

This is not a traditional Plant Manager opportunity focused on maintaining the status quo. This is an opportunity to help build the future operating model of a growing manufacturing business.

A rapidly growing manufacturer is seeking a strategic Plant Manager to lead its Columbus operation. The facility has already grown to approximately 60 employees, with continued investment in people, equipment, capacity, and operational infrastructure.

Working directly with the President and executive leadership, this individual will have significant influence over how the operation scales—building the systems, leadership structure, processes, and culture required for the company's next stage of growth.

The Opportunity

Lead an established 60-person manufacturing operation positioned for continued growth

Serve as a strategic business partner to the President and executive team

Build scalable manufacturing systems rather than simply inherit existing processes

Lead Lean Manufacturing and operational transformation

Develop the plant's management and supervisory team

Drive capacity, throughput, productivity, quality, and profitability

Influence CapEx, equipment investments, plant layout, and future capacity

Help position the organization for continued expansion and future acquisitions

Potential long-term path into broader multi-site operational leadership

What You'll Own

Full plant leadership across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Safety, and Shipping

Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, and overall operational performance

P&L performance, budgets, KPIs, EBITDA improvement, labor, inventory, and operating costs

Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Standard Work, and operational discipline

Throughput, OEE, downtime, scrap, rework, and labor efficiency

Capital projects, equipment investments, capacity planning, and facility improvements

Leadership development, succession planning, and organizational accountability

What We're Looking For

10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership

5+ years leading multiple functional departments

Experience in metal fabrication, welding, machining, industrial manufacturing, or engineered products preferred

Strong Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement background

Demonstrated success transforming or scaling manufacturing operations

Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, budgets, CapEx, KPIs, inventory, labor, and profitability

Proven ability to develop supervisors and department leaders

Experience with ISO / quality management systems

Ability to operate strategically while remaining connected to the manufacturing floor

Why This Role Stands Out

This position offers the opportunity to move beyond traditional plant management and become a key contributor to the company's broader growth strategy.

The right leader will have the autonomy, executive visibility, and resources to make meaningful changes—while helping transform an already growing 60-person operation into a scalable, high-performance manufacturing organization.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to build, transform, and grow a business—not simply run a plant.

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent