Plant Manager

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced, Plant Manager to lead a small-to-mid manufacturing site. The successful candidate will own day-to-day plant operations, warehouse, and production oversight, while also driving commercial and market development for the site and region. They will hold full P&L responsibility and be accountable for operational efficiency, safety, quality, and the growth of regional sales and customer relationships.

The ideal candidate is a mid-to-senior operations leader who is equally comfortable on the plant floor and in front of customers. They will consolidate currently fragmented responsibilities, bring structure and discipline to the team, and unlock the site's growth potential. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day plant operations, warehouse, and production to ensure targets, quality, and safety are consistently met.

• Coordinate with the existing production plant manager and consolidate fragmented responsibilities into a clear, accountable structure.

• Own the site P&L; control costs, improve operational efficiency, and drive profitability.

• Develop and execute local sales and business development initiatives for the plant and region.

• Build and maintain customer relationships, supporting commercial growth opportunities in the Charlotte/Gastonia area.

• Hire, coach, and develop frontline supervisors; improve processes and ensure compliance.

Key Skills

• Proven plant management or general management experience combining operations and commercial responsibility

• Demonstrated P&L ownership and the ability to improve operational and financial performance

• Strong leadership in consolidating teams, organizing fragmented responsibilities, and coaching supervisors

Educational & Additional Requirements

• Plant Manager, Operations Director, or VP-level experience ready to own a site

• Background in plastics, film, packaging, or closely related manufacturing strongly preferred

• P&L responsibility preferred; track record of cost control and efficiency gains

• Experience developing local sales / business development and managing customer relationships

• Demonstrated success consolidating teams and improving operational performance

• Comfortable in a rural site setting and with an onsite cadence of approximately 2-3 days per week

• Lives in the Charlotte / Gastonia / western NC region or willing to commute or relocate

• Organized, accountable, and self-motivated with a strong operational and commercial drive