Plant Operations Manager -- Plastics Extrusion

Lead a compact operation where your decisions move the needle every day

Imagine starting your day on first shift, walking the floor of a small plant, and greeting a tight-knit team of about 20 teammates running two production lines across two shifts. You review the day’s schedule, lock in tooling changeovers, confirm raw materials and resin sampling, and align with the Plant Manager before tackling throughput, quality, and safety head-on. Five days a week, approximately 45 hours, with occasional weekend flexibility when production demands it—balanced, predictable, and impactful.

Role overview

• Oversee daily plant operations: production, organization, housekeeping, and related activities.
• Lead people processes: hiring, training and certification, coaching, development, and corrective actions as needed.
• Champion safety: enforce PPE use; ensure proper forklift operation and preventive maintenance; immediately report unsafe acts, conditions, or injuries to the Plant Manager.
• Plan and schedule weekly production and tooling changeovers to meet output targets and customer needs.
• Manage raw material inventory, product/resin sampling plans, and review inventory reports (Min/Max, over-allocations).
• Meet or exceed standard production efficiencies on all lines; troubleshoot equipment and process issues to remove bottlenecks.
• Ensure product quality specifications are achieved on every run.
• Maintain strong communication with other manufacturing sites and corporate offices.
• Drive housekeeping excellence and a positive, transparent work culture.
• Administer purchasing of operating supplies via internal PO systems or company credit card.
• Build your skills through internal and external training; understand and practice company standards and procedures.

Scope, schedule, and reporting

• Team: Approximately 20 employees across two shifts.
• Headcount management: 2 production lines, 2 shifts (Mon–Fri).
• Shift: 1st shift; flexible to work 40+ hours per week and weekends as required.
• Reports to: Plant Manager.

Compensation & benefits

• Salary: $80,000–$85,000 base.
• Benefits: 401(k) with company match; voluntary stock purchase plan; paid time off; health, dental, and vision insurance; 100% company-paid wellness planning; parental leave; FSA; short- and long-term disability; basic life and AD tuition reimbursement; and more.
• Relocation assistance: Yes.
• Sponsorship: Not available.

Your toolkit: skills and knowledge

• Leadership and people management; coaching and mentoring.
• Production planning & scheduling; operational metrics & KPI management.
• Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement; production optimization.
• Quality control; workplace safety & EHS management.
• Mechanical troubleshooting; mechanical aptitude; proficient production equipment knowledge.
• Inventory management; familiarity with BOMs; operating system knowledge for inventory and production functions.
• Intermediate computer skills; mathematical proficiency.
• Budgeting and forecasting experience.
• Plastic extrusion experience preferred.

Education & experience

• Minimum: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Supervisory training/experience; basic industrial maintenance/mechanical training or equivalent.

Physical requirements

• Stand and remain mobile for at least 8 continuous hours; frequent walking on the production floor.
• Work in hot or cold environments for extended periods while performing physical tasks.
• Use hands, arms, and legs to handle and move finished goods and materials.
• Full range of motion daily: twisting, bending, reaching, squatting; ability to mount/dismount industrial equipment and vehicles.

Tools & technologies

• ERP Software: Oracle.

If you’re ready to own results in a stable company that’s operated for 50+ years with more than 50 plants nationwide, this small-plant leadership role offers autonomy, visibility, and clear career progression.