Plant Operations Manager (Michigan)

Plant Operations Manager

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Industry: Marine Manufacturing

Relocation Package Offered

Position Summary

The Plant Operations Manager provides full operational leadership for a marine manufacturing facility operating in a high-mix, job shop environment. This role is responsible for safety, quality, delivery, cost control, and workforce engagement while driving continuous improvement across the operation.

The ideal candidate has a strong marine industry background and leads through servant leadership principles while maintaining operational discipline and financial accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily plant operations including production, maintenance, materials, quality, and shipping
• Manage workflow in a high-mix, job shop layout while maintaining schedule adherence
• Drive on-time delivery and throughput performance
• Establish clear production rhythm and accountability at all levels

Continuous Improvement

• Strengthen process stability and standardization
• Improve flow, reduce bottlenecks, and increase labor productivity
• Lead structured problem-solving to eliminate recurring production issues
• Implement practical performance metrics that drive measurable results

Financial Performance

• Own plant-level operating performance and cost controls
• Manage labor efficiency, overhead, scrap, and material usage
• Support revenue growth through operational capability and execution
• Partner with leadership on forecasting, budgeting, and capital investments

Workforce & Culture

• Lead through servant leadership, setting clear expectations and supporting team success
• Develop supervisors and frontline leaders
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and safety
• Maintain strong safety discipline throughout the facility

Quality & Customer Alignment

• Maintain high marine industry quality standards
• Reduce rework and warranty exposure
• Align operations closely with engineering and customer requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Engineering, Industrial Leadership, or related field
• 7–15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Marine industry manufacturing experience preferred
• Experience operating within high-mix, job shop production environments
• Working knowledge of machining and foundry operations
• Strong financial and operational acumen

Leadership Profile

• Servant leader who develops people
• Decisive and performance-driven
• Practical, hands-on operator
• Strong communicator across all organizational levels
• Comfortable balancing structure with flexibility in a custom production setting