Manufacturing Plant Manager - Glass, Ceramics or Metals

***Permanent US residents need only apply...

***Candidates must have Union shop experience and come from Glass, Ceramics or Metal manufacturing. 

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates is performing an executive search for a premier industrial manufacturing client seeking a visionary Plant Manager for their massive production complex in Defiance, Ohio. This enterprise-critical leadership role carries total operational oversight of a multi-site manufacturing footprint—including two production plants, an offsite warehouse, and a customer service facility. As the sole producer of high-performance glass, ceramics, and metal product lines (such as specialized marbles and fiberglass pipe covers) supplying internal networks and external markets alike, this facility demands a transformative leader. The incoming executive will spearhead large-scale capital investments, including major furnace reconstructions and cutting-edge automation programs, while steering a diverse team of over 600 hourly union personnel and 60 salaried staff toward peak performance, safety milestones, and financial excellence.

What You'll Do

• Direct comprehensive manufacturing operations across multiple facilities to consistently generate safe, reliable, premium-grade, and cost-efficient output.

• Champion rigorous safety and environmental protocols to achieve continuous year-over-year metric enhancement and complete regulatory adherence.

• Maximize plant productivity, asset uptime, and yield through the disciplined deployment of Lean methodologies and continuous improvement frameworks.

• Foster a high-performance, accountable culture by coaching talent, establishing rigorous expectations, and cultivating positive labor relations within a unionized setting.

• Deliver financial objectives by managing annual operating budgets, controlling working capital, and optimizing profitability.

• Execute high-value capital initiatives—encompassing infrastructure modernization, automation upgrades, and facility expansions—safely, on schedule, and on budget.

• Synthesize actionable reporting systems and performance routines to drive operational governance and cross-functional accountability.

• Represent the enterprise externally with community leaders, regulatory bodies, and corporate stakeholders.

What You Bring

• University Master's Degree (engineering or technical discipline preferred), accompanied by 15 to 25 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, featuring extensive background as a Plant Manager.

• Demonstrated history of directing complex, multi-line production facilities encompassing both unionized hourly teams and salaried personnel.

• Specific industry expertise rooted strictly in Glass, Ceramics, or Primary Metals manufacturing environments (automotive sector experience is excluded).

• Proven mastery in Union shop environments, labor relations, and negotiations.

• Advanced financial acumen with hands-on oversight of P&L performance, operational cost structures, and major capital programs.

• Deep technical expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Automation, Reporting Systems, and Mechanical systems.

• Direct experience handling Environmental Performance, Hazard Identification, and regulatory compliance agencies.

• Demonstrated capacity to travel periodically, ranging from 11 to 29 days annually.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Annual Salary: $220,000 - $240,000

• Bonus: 30%

• Relocation assistance provided

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you're doing more than pursuing a job, you're aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.