Plant Manager

Job Description 

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, operation, and performance of the Nicholasville manufacturing facilities. This role provides direction and oversight for all plant functions to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations while meeting production, quality, delivery, and profitability objectives. The Plant Manager leads manufacturing, maintenance, and support teams, drives continuous improvement, and ensures adherence to customer, regulatory, and company requirements. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
The Plant Manager shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 

• Plan, organize, and direct daily production and maintenance operations across all departments. 
• Establish, monitor, and improve key plant performance metrics including safety, quality, delivery, cost, scrap, and OEE. 
• Lead implementation of manufacturing strategies to achieve production goals within approved budgets. 
• Analyze performance of molding, paint, plating, and assembly processes and drive corrective actions as needed. 
• Ensure effective utilization of manpower, equipment, materials, and assets to minimize errors and maximize efficiency. 
• Coordinate production planning and scheduling to ensure customer orders are met on time. 
• Communicate customer specifications, changes, and priorities to plant leadership and management teams. 
• Lead problem solving efforts to address safety, quality, delivery, and cost issues. 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives including kaizen events, cost savings programs, and process improvements. 
• Support and oversee production launch activities for new programs and process changes. 
• Audit process compliance to standard work and enforce quality control programs. 
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations. 
• Support and promote compliance with the IATF 16949 Quality Management System. 
• Prepare and present plant performance updates to executive leadership, customers, and other stakeholders. 
• Maintain plant housekeeping and lead by example for safety and workplace standards. 
• Identify training and development needs for plant management and leadership personnel. 
• Attend and participate in required training and educational programs. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Quality Responsibilities 

• Understand and communicate the intent of the Quality Policy and IATF 16949 requirements. 
• Ensure processes are designed and operated to prevent nonconformities. 
• Identify, document, and address quality system, process, or product issues. 
• Initiate and verify corrective and preventive actions. 
• Ensure containment and resolution of nonconforming conditions. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• Provide leadership and direction to Manufacturing, Maintenance, and supporting departments. 
• Interview, select, coach, and develop management team members. 
• Conduct or support performance evaluations in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. 

Skill and Education Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field preferred; Associate’s degree with 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience may be considered. 
• Minimum of 5–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a multi‐process environment. 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate, influence, and develop teams. 
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and continuous improvement. 
• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and present information to leadership and customers. 
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Strong problem solving, organizational, and decision‐making skills. 
• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization. 

Work Environment 

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments. 
• Regular exposure to plant floor conditions including noise, airborne particles, fumes, moving equipment, and chemicals. 
• PPE is required in designated areas. 
• Physical demands include standing, walking, climbing stairs, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, or weekends as required by plant operations. 
• Occasional travel may be required for customer or company meetings. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Authority 

• Authority to direct daily plant operations and enforce company policies and standards. 
• Authority to manage production, maintenance, and operational resources. 
• Authority to implement process and operational improvements within approved budgets. 
• Authority to escalate safety, quality, delivery, or cost risks to executive leadership. 
• Authority to represent the plant to customers, auditors, and corporate leadership. 

With over 30 years of industry experience and a footprint spanning 10 United States locations, Creative Liquid Coatings is a powerhouse in integrated manufacturing. We bridge the gap between complex plastic injection molding and world-class automated finishing, utilizing a fleet of over 150 machines ranging from 85 to 5,000 tons. Our versatile paint lines accommodate a wide range of component sizes, providing a seamless, end-to-end production solution that combines massive scale with precision engineering for the most demanding industrial applications.