About the Role
The Plant Manager leads all daily operations of a high-volume, fast-paced trade printing facility, ensuring excellence in production, quality, safety, cost control, and team performance.
This is a hands-on leadership role for a seasoned manufacturing operator who thrives in a high-speed print environment, where accuracy, turnaround time, and efficiency directly impact customer success.
You will oversee all plant functions—including prepress, pressroom, digital, finishing, shipping/receiving, and maintenance—while partnering closely with senior leadership to drive operational performance and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Production Leadership
- Lead supervisors, department heads, and hourly teams to achieve production and performance goals
- Set clear expectations through structured communication, meetings, and KPI tracking
- Ensure all departments are aligned to meet job specifications, deadlines, and quality standards
- Monitor plant KPIs and drive consistent performance against company objectives
- Oversee operating and capital budgets with a focus on efficiency and cost control
- Partner cross-functionally with Customer Service, Quality, Finance, HR, EHS, and Materials
- Lead escalation efforts for high-profile or at-risk customer issues
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives in quality, scheduling, workflow, and productivity
- Develop and standardize plant procedures and best practices
- Identify process improvements to support future growth and operational scalability
- Lead cost reduction and profit improvement initiatives
- Serve as a technical and operational resource for customers and internal teams
- Support onboarding, training, and development of all employees
Safety Leadership
- Enforce all safety policies and procedures across the facility
- Lead a proactive safety culture through training, audits, and incident investigations
- Ensure proper use of PPE and compliance with safety standards
- Track, investigate, and resolve workplace hazards and incidents
- Participate in plant and corporate safety programs and initiatives
People Leadership
- Set performance expectations and foster accountability across all levels
- Promote strong communication and consistent policy application across shifts
- Conduct performance reviews and support employee development plans
- Identify training needs and implement technical and skills development programs
- Drive cross-training and workforce flexibility
- Address employee concerns promptly and maintain strong team engagement
Quality Management
- Maintain strict quality standards across all production areas
- Ensure consistency in output and adherence to quality guidelines
- Oversee training programs tied to quality compliance and performance
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field (preferred)
- 10–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in a high-volume print manufacturing environment
- 5+ years of P&L and budget management responsibility
- Strong background in lean manufacturing / continuous improvement methodologies
- Proven track record of improving plant performance without compromising safety
- Strong understanding of operations finance, production metrics, and quality systems
Required Skills
Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment
Accountability: Self-driven with strong ownership of outcomes, deadlines, and performance standards
Critical Thinking: Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in real-time operational environments
Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal communication across all levels of the organization
Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Teams and familiarity with industry-standard operational systems
