Plant Manager

Key Assets Recruitment is assisting our client in their search for director level Plant Manager.

Position will be located near Huntington, WV, and relocation assistance is provided.

Plant Manager Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic
Plant Manager
to lead a high-performance manufacturing operation and serve as the legal representative of the site. This is a pivotal leadership role with full responsibility for plant operations, P&L performance, team leadership, and compliance with global standards including IATF/ISO.

If you excel in driving operational excellence, fostering a strong safety culture, and leading teams to exceptional results, this is a compelling opportunity to make a significant impact.

In this role you will:

Oversee plant budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance, ensuring adherence to P&L objectives.

Drive cost reduction, waste elimination, and efficiency initiatives using lean manufacturing principles.

Foster employee engagement and professional growth through coaching, training, and leadership development.

Lead operational reviews to monitor KPIs and identify opportunities for process optimization.

Serve as the key liaison between plant operations and corporate leadership.

Ensure effective communication across departments to align goals and maintain operational cohesion.

Champion workplace safety, quality performance, and compliance with all applicable regulations.

What You'll Lead

As the Plant Manager, you will guide all plant activities and ensure outstanding performance in
Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Service
.

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Oversee all plant operations (including production, engineering, maintenance, logistics, and safety) with full ownership of the P&L.
• Prepare budgets, manage costs, and drive financial performance.
• Deliver on all
  QCD (Quality–Cost–Delivery)
  objectives.
• Identify, plan, and implement productivity improvements and capital investments.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Implement and enforce QHSE policies aligned with corporate guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with IATF/ISO standards and maintain readiness for customer, certification, and regulatory audits.
• Trigger the
  Red Alert
  process when major risks arise—operational, financial, or customer-related.
• Maintain top-tier order, cleanliness, and adherence to labor and HSE regulations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead a team of ~20 employees and oversee the plant management team.
• Promote a positive work environment, strong communication, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities.
• Coach and develop staff to enhance performance, engagement, and capability.

HSE Responsibilities

• Ensure strict compliance with all safety, environmental, and energy policies.
• Lead prevention initiatives and intervene in the event of incidents or unsafe conditions.
• Exercise authority to stop any activity posing risk to people, equipment, or the environment.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide weekly performance updates to the European Operations Department.
• Report major deviations and propose corrective actions.

What You Need to Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 7–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including full plant management responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in managing large, multi-shift operations within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of improving operational performance through lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and P&L accountability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex production processes.
• Automotive strongly desired and plastics a plus.
• Experience developing and executing strategies that drive productivity, profitability, and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to manage operations, teams, and P&L performance.
• Solid knowledge of
  SAP
  ,
  advanced Excel
  , and data-driven decision-making tools.
• Strong understanding of
  IATF/ISO standards
  and QHSE management systems.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• High integrity, confidentiality, and rigor in decision-making.

Why This Role Matters

This position is essential to ensuring operational stability, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement across the entire site. You'll have the authority, visibility, and support to shape performance, culture, and long-term success.

If you are a decisive, process-driven leader with a passion for operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the lead toward shaping a high-performing plant with a strong future.