Plant Manager

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and operational excellence of two manufacturing sites producing aerospace and military‑grade elastomeric components. These components include rubber‑to‑metal bonded parts and fully elastomeric solutions, with a strong focus on shock and vibration management applications.

This role has full accountability for production, facilities, equipment, safety, quality, and workforce leadership, overseeing 100+ production employees in a regulated AS9100‑certified environment. The Plant Manager serves as the senior operational leader on site and plays a critical role in meeting customer, regulatory, delivery, and profitability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all manufacturing operations across two sites, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production of aerospace and military components.
• Own production output, on‑time delivery, capacity planning, and labor utilization.
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, cycle time, and throughput.
• Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet shock and vibration performance requirements and customer specifications.

Production & Process Management

• Provide hands‑on leadership for:
• Elastomer compounding and processing
• Rubber molding (compression, transfer, LSR as applicable)
• Rubber‑to‑metal bonding processes
• Post‑cure, finishing, and inspection operations
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality to maintain robust process controls, work instructions, and process capability.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and process validations.

Quality & Compliance (AS9100 / Aerospace & Defense)

• Ensure full compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Actively support internal, customer, and third‑party audits.
• Promote a strong quality culture, ensuring adherence to documented processes.
• Lead corrective and preventive actions related to production, equipment, or process nonconformances.

Facilities & Equipment Management

• Own facility operations for both sites, including:
• Building maintenance
• Utilities
• Environmental controls
• Space planning
• Lead capital equipment planning and execution for:
• Molding presses
• Bonding and curing equipment
• Test and inspection systems
• Ensure equipment reliability through preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

People Leadership

• Directly lead and develop production supervisors, managers, and support staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and skills development for all production employees.
• Promote employee engagement, retention, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Safety & Risk Management

• Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and internal safety standards.
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational, equipment, and process risks.
• Ensure safe handling of elastomers, adhesives, bonding agents, and chemicals.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Sales.
• Support customer communication related to production readiness, capacity, and delivery.
• Participate in strategic planning and operational reviews with senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 8–10 years of manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 quality systems.
• Experience with elastomer manufacturing, rubber molding, or bonded component production.
• Proven track record leading large production teams (100+ employees).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑site operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with shock and vibration isolation products.
• Background in rubber‑to‑metal bonding processes.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working directly with military and aerospace customers.

Key Competencies

• Strong operational and people leadership
• Decisive, data‑driven decision making
• Excellent communication across all levels
• Ability to lead in a compliance‑driven environment
• Hands‑on, visible plant leadership style

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial equipment, heated processes, and chemicals.
• Regular presence on the production floor required.
• Regular travel between sites 10 minute drive apart.