Plant Manager

The Plant Manager leads the startup, production ramp-up, and ongoing operations of Translucent Solar’s solar module manufacturing facility. This position is accountable for plant safety, product quality, production performance, on-time delivery, workforce development, equipment reliability, and manufacturing costs.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity to help build a manufacturing operation from the ground up-establishing effective processes, developing a strong team, and creating a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Plant Manager translates company objectives into operating plans and coordinates the people, equipment, and resources needed to achieve production goals.

This position requires an on-site presence and regular engagement with employees throughout the manufacturing facility. Responsibilities include observing production, assessing operating conditions, coordinating corrective actions, and using required personal protective equipment.

The Plant Manager must be available to support startup activities, shift operations, and urgent operational needs, including occasional evenings or weekends as required. Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Lead plant startup and production ramp-up. Coordinate operational readiness, equipment installation and commissioning, staffing, training, production trials, and the transition to commercial manufacturing. Work with Engineering, Maintenance, and equipment suppliers to resolve startup issues and achieve planned capacity.
• Direct daily manufacturing operations. Establish production priorities, staffing plans, shift coverage, and operating procedures. Oversee solar module assembly processes, including cell stringing, layup, lamination, framing, and junction box installation, together with inspection, testing, and packaging activities.
• Champion safety and environmental responsibility. Partner with the HSE Manager to implement applicable safety requirements, employee training, hazard assessments, machine guarding, hazardous-energy controls, and incident corrective actions. Support environmental compliance and ensure unsafe conditions are addressed before affected work resumes.
• Protect product quality. Partner with the QA/QC Manager to implement and maintain quality management processes aligned with ISO 9001 and applicable customer and product requirements. Support process controls, material and product traceability, audits, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions. Ensure production teams follow approved procedures for nonconforming material and product release.
• Build and develop the plant team. Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate assigned managers, supervisors, and employees in coordination with Human Resources. Establish clear responsibilities, consistent performance expectations, effective shift handoffs, and opportunities for employee development.
• Improve equipment reliability and manufacturing processes. Work with Engineering and Maintenance to establish preventive maintenance priorities, address recurring downtime, improve equipment utilization, and implement process improvements. Support equipment upgrades, capacity expansion, and new product introductions.
• Align production with material availability and customer demand. Coordinate with Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales to align production schedules with inventory, material readiness, available capacity, and delivery commitments. Anticipate shortages and develop recovery plans to minimize disruptions.
• Manage operating costs and continuous improvement. Develop and manage plant budgets, labor plans, operating expenses, and capital requests within approved authority. Apply Lean…