Plant manager
Job Description Job Description Centennial is partnering with a privately held automotive manufacturing company located in Madison, IN for a Plant Manager who serves as the senior operational leader responsible for the overall performance, profitability, and strategic direction of the facility. This role oversees all plant functions — including production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, shipping/receiving, and production control — ensuring the operation consistently delivers on commitments for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction . The Plant Manager is accountable for building a disciplined, high‑performance culture rooted in TPS principles , continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The Plant Manager sets the tone for leadership, drives cross‑functional alignment, and ensures the plant operates as a reliable, efficient, and scalable asset for the organization. Key Responsibilities Establish the plant’s operational vision and translate it into clear priorities, performance expectations, and measurable outcomes. Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational rigor across all departments. Serve as the primary decision‑maker for plant operations, balancing short‑term execution with long‑term strategic needs. Direct all plant functions to ensure consistent performance in production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, and logistics. Drive disciplined planning, daily management, and structured follow‑up to ensure objectives are achieved on schedule and within budget. Maintain and elevate plant performance standards across safety, throughput, quality, and delivery. Lead cost‑management strategies that optimize labor, materials, freight, consumables, and repair expenses. Implement effective controls over capital investments, operating expenditures, manpower planning, and wage structures. Use financial statements, budgets, and operational data to guide decisions and improve profitability. Advance TPS‑based methodologies including kaizen, JIT, Kanban, and visual management to strengthen operational discipline and eliminate waste. Ensure manufacturing systems, processes, and materials are optimized for efficiency, stability, and scalability. Sponsor improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce variability, and elevate overall plant capability. Ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations for quality, cost, and delivery. Strengthen quality systems and corrective‑action processes to maintain compliance and protect customer relationships. Oversee timely and accurate shipment of products, reinforcing the plant’s reputation for reliability and service excellence. Provide direction, coaching, and development to the management team, building strong leaders who can execute with discipline and autonomy. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages employee engagement, problem‑solving, and ownership at all levels. Execute company goals and initiatives through effective leadership and communication. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, finance, or related field preferred. Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in a multi‑functional manufacturing environment. Strong working knowledge of budgets, financial statements, and cost‑control methodologies. Deep understanding of the Toyota Production System (TPS) and its application in modern manufacturing. Hands‑on technical capability with manufacturing systems, processes, and materials. Demonstrated ability to lead in both team‑oriented and independent environments. Proven leadership experience across multiple functional areas within a manufacturing organization.
