Plant Manager

Job Description

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Production & Operations Manager

Location: Houston, TX Area

Position Summary

The Production & Operations Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of manufacturing operations for a precision machining and industrial products facility serving energy, process automation, and industrial markets. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, EHS, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable plant performance.

The Production & Operations Manager will drive operational excellence, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and financial performance while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct all plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Lead daily manufacturing activities including machining, assembly, testing, quality, maintenance, and logistics.
• Develop and execute plant operating plans aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining product quality and customer commitments.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a world-class safety culture with a goal of zero incidents.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company EHS requirements.
• Lead risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Maintain compliance with applicable quality and regulatory standards.

Financial Management

• Manage plant P&L performance and operating budgets.
• Drive productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives.
• Develop capital investment plans and oversee execution of capital projects.
• Optimize labor utilization, inventory levels, and manufacturing efficiency.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a workforce of salaried and hourly employees.
• Build leadership capability within operations, engineering, quality, and maintenance teams.
• Foster employee engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Partner with Human Resources on talent acquisition, succession planning, and performance management.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Lead efforts to improve OEE, throughput, scrap reduction, on-time delivery, and inventory turns.
• Promote a culture focused on problem-solving, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Support digital manufacturing and automation initiatives where appropriate.

Customer & Business Partnership

• Collaborate with commercial, engineering, supply chain, and product management teams.
• Support customer visits, audits, and strategic business initiatives.
• Ensure customer expectations for quality, delivery, and responsiveness are consistently achieved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading a manufacturing facility or major business unit.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, machining, automation, flow control, energy, or related industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated success managing plant financial performance and operational metrics.
• Knowledge of quality systems, EHS requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
• Background in precision machining, industrial automation, valves, instrumentation, or engineered products.

Key Performance Indicators

• Safety performance (TRIR, incident rate)
• On-time delivery
• Quality and customer satisfaction metrics
• Productivity and labor efficiency
• Scrap and rework reduction
• Inventory turns
• OEE and equipment uptime
• EBITDA and plant profitability
• Employee engagement and retention

Saige Partners, one of the fastest growing technology and talent companies in the Midwest, believes in people with a passion to help them succeed. We are in the business of helping professionals Build Careers, Not Jobs. Saige Partners believes employees are the most valuable asset to building a thriving and successful company culture. Contact us to learn more about the opportunity below or check out other opportunities at

Meet Your Recruiter

Andy Birkenholz