Plant Unit Operations Manager (Lean Manufacturing)

Is this you? When a thermoforming cell drops throughput by 10% on a weekend, you stabilize, diagnose with 5 Whys, and implement corrective and preventive actions—without compromising safety or GMPs. You can lead 150+ people across multiple lines in a 24/7 operation, keeping safety, quality, delivery, people, and cost in balance. You turn strategy into step-by-step execution and communicate clearly with operators, supervisors, and senior leadership.

The challenge

Guide assigned departments, product lines, or profit centers in a food-grade plastics environment—where extrusion and thermoforming meet high expectations. You will be the operational heartbeat and a cross-trained backup to the Plant Manager, ready to step in as needed.

What you’ll do

• Lead with safety Integrate safety into every decision and activity; rigorously apply policies, procedures, standards, and regulations. Identify and resolve unsafe conditions and practices; lead investigations, root-cause analysis, and follow-through on corrective actions. Partner with EHS and the Plant Manager to set goals and elevate plant safety culture through coaching and floor presence.
• Run production with precision Plan, schedule, and monitor daily production to hit targets for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and efficiency. Optimize resources—people, equipment, materials, methods—to meet customer and business commitments. Track efficiency, downtime, throughput, labor utilization, scrap, and schedule attainment; act quickly when results drift. Communicate priorities, risks, and performance transparently across all levels.
• Grow people and capability Recruit, onboard, and develop a high-performing team; set expectations and hold leaders and employees accountable. Mentor supervisors and emerging leaders; delegate meaningful work to speed capability and succession. Build an inclusive, respectful, collaborative culture; resolve performance/behavior issues promptly with HR partnership.
• Elevate quality and improvement Ensure conformance to customer specs, internal standards, and GMPs. Contain, investigate, and correct quality issues using data, statistical tools, and structured problem solving. Lead Lean/Kaizen initiatives to eliminate waste, enhance process capability, improve productivity, and sustain via standards, training, audits, and accountability.
• Deliver business results Manage operational and financial performance, including labor, scrap, productivity, efficiency, downtime, overtime, and material usage. Provide timely, accurate reporting; leverage insights to anticipate challenges and allocate resources smartly. Translate strategy into clear action plans with ownership, follow-through, and measurable outcomes. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Plant Manager.

What you bring

Bachelor’s degree preferred in Industrial Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field. Minimum 5 years in manufacturing, including at least 2 years in a supervisory/leadership role. Proven application of statistical methods, data analysis, root cause analysis, and process improvement. Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite) and the ability to learn company-specific systems and technology. Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams; excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to make sound, timely decisions and lead effectively in a fast-paced plant environment.

Domain expertise and tools

• Leadership / People Management
• 5 Why (Root Cause Analysis Method)
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Kaizen
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Budgeting / Forecasting Experience
• Plastic Extrusion Experience
• Thermoforming Experience
• Microsoft Excel
• Presentation skills