Plant Manager - Union Shop

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

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates has been retained by a leading industrial organization to conduct an executive search for a high-impact Plant Manager. This mission-critical leadership role oversees one of our partner’s premier, highly visible manufacturing complexes—comprising dual production facilities, offsite warehousing, and a dedicated customer support site.

In this position, you will drive operational strategy and long-term asset vitality, managing major capital modernization efforts including furnace overhauls and cutting-edge operational enhancements. Managing a substantial workforce across multiple facilities, you will serve as the primary operational leader responsible for building a world-class safety culture, maximizing throughput, and executing transformative facility investments.

What You’ll Do

• Champion Health & Safety: Advance zero-harm operational standards across all locations, maintaining stringent regulatory compliance and proactively eliminating workplace hazards.

• Drive Operational Excellence: Optimize continuous production lines, increase throughput, elevate overall yield, and streamline inventory flow across multiple manufacturing sites.

• Lead Capital Transformation: Direct large-scale facility overhaul projects, furnace rebuilds, and process modernizations while maintaining strict schedule and budget controls.

• Optimize Financial & Business Performance: Manage full site financial performance, controlling baseline operating expenses and aligning site operations with broader corporate strategy.

• Foster Labor Relations & Team Development: Lead a multi-site labor force comprising 600+ union and 60+ salaried professionals, nurturing an environment of accountability, continuous coaching, and proactive labor-management dialogue.

• Represent Site Operations: Serve as the key executive liaison between localized site performance, community partners, regulatory compliance agencies, and executive leadership.

What You Bring

• Leadership & Credentials: Masters Degree preferred (or relevant Bachelors Degree in an engineering or technical discipline) paired with extensive progressive site leadership experience, including verified executive-level plant oversight.

• Core Industry Experience: Strong operational background within heavy manufacturing sectors such as Glass, Ceramics, or Primary Metals. (Note: Candidates with automotive-exclusive backgrounds will not be considered).

• Labor Relations Mastery: Demonstrated success managing large-scale operational teams within an active Union ecosystem.

• Continuous Improvement Systems: Proven history driving Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kepner-Tregoe, or similar continuous improvement frameworks to streamline operations.

• Engineering & Mechanical Expertise: Deep familiarity with continuous process engineering, high-temperature thermal processing systems, and modern Automation technology.

• Financial & Capital Acumen: Comprehensive command over facility cost controls, operational Reporting Systems, capital allocation, and multi-facility operational budgets.

• Mobility & Logistics: Capacity for occasional domestic business travel (approximately 11–29 days annually).

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Base Salary: $220,000 – $240,000 annually

• Performance Bonus: 30% annual target bonus

• Relocation Package: Comprehensive 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.