Plant Manager

Opportunity Profile

Location: Houston, Texas

Position Title: Plant Manager

The Opportunity:

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the most visible, strategically important, and high-performing facilities within a leading integrated packaging organization. The Houston operation has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several years, evolving from a long-standing turnaround facility into one of the company's flagship manufacturing sites. The leadership team has successfully improved operational performance, increased paper consumption, enhanced productivity, and significantly strengthened the plant's financial position. The next Plant Manager will have the opportunity to build upon that success and play a critical role in shaping the future of the facility.

Unlike many manufacturing leadership roles that focus on stabilizing performance, this position is centered on sustaining excellence and creating the next phase of growth. The Houston facility has already captured much of the obvious improvement opportunity. The successful candidate will be expected to identify and execute the more sophisticated operational improvements that separate high-performing plants from industry-leading operations. This individual will inherit a strong team, established processes, and a facility that is already delivering outstanding results, while being entrusted with helping move the organization to another level.

The facility is entering an exciting growth phase supported by significant capital investment. Planned improvements are expected to further expand corrugator capacity, increase throughput, and support future box converting growth opportunities. The person who accepts this role will have the rare opportunity to influence not only day-to-day plant performance but also the long-term strategic development of the operation. Their leadership will directly impact safety performance, product quality, manufacturing efficiency, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

This position also offers substantial career visibility. Houston is viewed as one of the organization's most important facilities, and success here is recognized throughout the company. For a proven corrugated industry leader seeking the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, work alongside a highly engaged leadership team, and position themselves for future advancement, this represents a unique career opportunity.

The Company:

Our client is a fully integrated paper and packaging company that has experienced significant growth since its formation. The organization operates paper mills, corrugated manufacturing facilities, sheet plants, packaging services operations, warehousing networks, design centers, transportation assets, and fulfillment services throughout the United States. Through strategic acquisitions, operational investments, and a commitment to attracting top industry talent, the company has established itself as one of the leading organizations in the corrugated packaging industry.

The company's vertically integrated business model provides customers with a comprehensive packaging solution while creating significant operational advantages throughout its manufacturing network. The organization continues to invest aggressively in equipment modernization, technology, safety initiatives, sustainability programs, and employee development. This commitment has allowed the company to enhance manufacturing capabilities while maintaining a culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

One of the company's most attractive qualities is its ability to empower leaders to make meaningful business decisions. The organization intentionally operates with fewer layers than many large competitors, creating an environment where strong leaders can make an impact, gain visibility, and see their ideas quickly translated into action. Employees who perform well are provided opportunities for growth, advancement, and increased responsibility.

As the company continues to expand its manufacturing footprint and invest in its operations, it remains committed to creating a culture where accountability, innovation, teamwork, safety, and customer service drive business success.

The Boss:

The Plant Manager will report directly to the General Manager of the Houston facility. This leader has been instrumental in transforming the operation into one of the organization's premier manufacturing sites. Since assuming leadership of the facility, he has led significant operational improvements that have increased productivity, enhanced financial performance, improved operational metrics, and elevated the facility's standing within the company.

He is a highly engaged operational leader who values accountability, execution, teamwork, and continuous improvement. He believes successful manufacturing leaders must possess a comprehensive understanding of the corrugated business and be capable of influencing every aspect of plant performance, including safety, quality, production, maintenance, employee development, and culture. He is seeking a leader who is willing to be highly visible within the operation, actively engage with supervisors and employees, and drive results through consistent presence and execution.

Equally important to operational success is his commitment to culture. He has worked diligently to establish a respectful workplace environment and is seeking a Plant Manager who not only achieves results but does so through positive leadership, employee engagement, collaboration, and accountability. The ideal candidate will share his commitment to developing people, building strong teams, and creating sustainable operational improvements.

For a leader who enjoys being challenged, values autonomy, and wants the opportunity to make a measurable impact alongside a proven leadership team, this reporting relationship offers an outstanding opportunity.

The Position:

The Plant Manager is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of the Houston facility. This role will oversee major manufacturing functions and ensure organizational objectives related to safety, quality, productivity, customer service, maintenance reliability, employee development, and financial performance are achieved.

The successful candidate will lead a significant employee population and assume responsibility for converting operations, corrugator operations, and maintenance functions. Working in partnership with other facility leaders, the Plant Manager will identify opportunities for continuous improvement, support major capital initiatives, strengthen operational execution, and ensure the organization continues advancing toward its long-term strategic objectives.

This individual must be capable of balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership while serving as a coach, mentor, and role model for supervisors and employees throughout the facility.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Provide leadership for daily manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, service, and financial objectives are achieved.
  • Drive continuous improvement efforts across all operational areas.
  • Develop, mentor, and coach supervisors and operational leaders.
  • Establish accountability systems that promote operational excellence and execution.
  • Maintain a highly visible presence throughout the facility and actively engage with employees.
  • Utilize operational metrics and KPI performance data to identify improvement opportunities and drive sustainable results.
  • Support implementation of capital projects and future expansion initiatives.
  • Partner with maintenance leadership to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
  • Promote a culture focused on safety, employee engagement, teamwork, and respect.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional departments to achieve organizational goals.
  • Support succession planning and leadership development initiatives.
  • Identify operational opportunities that enhance profitability, throughput, and customer satisfaction.
  • Lead change initiatives while maintaining employee engagement and organizational alignment.

Qualifications:

• Extensive corrugated packaging industry experience is required.
  • Significant experience within integrated box plant operations is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success leading large manufacturing operations.
  • Strong understanding of corrugator operations, converting operations, maintenance, safety, quality, and operational performance metrics.
  • Proven ability to drive measurable operational improvements.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and employee development skills.
  • Experience creating accountability and execution throughout a manufacturing organization.
  • Ability to influence and engage employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Bilingual English and Spanish language skills are considered highly desirable.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Progressive manufacturing leadership experience within the corrugated packaging industry.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large operational teams in a manufacturing environment.
  • Significant experience within integrated box plant operations strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record of improving safety, quality, productivity, customer service, and profitability.
  • Experience leading multi-functional manufacturing operations, including corrugator, converting, and maintenance functions.
  • History of successfully implementing operational improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and mentor supervisors and emerging leaders.
  • Experience leading organizational change while maintaining employee engagement and accountability.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing KPI's, performance metrics, and operational reporting.
  • Experience working within high-volume, performance-driven manufacturing environments.

Work Environment:

This position operates within a fast-paced manufacturing environment where leadership presence and employee engagement are essential to success. The Plant Manager is expected to spend significant time within the operation interacting with supervisors, managers, and production employees while maintaining a visible leadership presence throughout the facility. The role requires balancing strategic planning responsibilities with active involvement in day-to-day operations. The environment is focused on safety, continuous improvement, teamwork, accountability, and operational excellence. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a dynamic production setting while leading organizational initiatives that drive long-term business performance.

Compensation:

Our client offers a highly competitive executive-level compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top industry talent. The organization rewards performance, leadership, and business impact while providing opportunities for long-term career growth and advancement. The successful candidate will be joining a business that values operational excellence, invests in its people, and provides a platform for ambitious leaders to make a significant impact while advancing their careers within a growing organization.