Job Summary: <p><strong>Plant Manager – Fenton, MO</strong></p><p>Seeking an experienced <strong>Plant Manager</strong> to lead daily manufacturing operations, production teams, safety, scheduling, KPIs, and continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will have strong manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in <strong>plastics, rubber, foam, injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, or packaging</strong>.</p><p><strong>Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Fenton, MO</strong></p>

Plant Manager - Manufacturing

Location: Fenton, MO
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, with flexibility to support manufacturing operations as needed
Reports To: Director of Operations

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations at an established production facility in Fenton, Missouri.

The Plant Manager will be responsible for overseeing production, safety, employee development, production scheduling, capacity planning, quality, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring a strong manufacturing background and the ability to build high-performing teams while driving operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate is a people-focused manufacturing leader who can effectively manage supervisors and production employees, establish accountability, monitor key performance indicators, and continuously improve plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and productive performance.

• Manage production activities to meet customer requirements, production schedules, and delivery commitments.

• Build, coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and production employees.

• Establish a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Oversee production scheduling, capacity planning, workflow, and resource utilization.

• Monitor plant performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and take corrective action when necessary.

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, control costs, and optimize manufacturing processes.

• Work closely with department leaders to resolve operational issues and achieve business objectives.

• Manage employee performance through regular coaching, feedback, training, and development.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Promote strong communication and collaboration across production and support functions.

• Support initiatives designed to improve quality, efficiency, employee engagement, and overall plant performance.

• Maintain a positive and professional working environment for employees at all levels.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment.

• Experience managing supervisors, production employees, and/or manufacturing teams.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop employees.

• Strong understanding of production operations, scheduling, workflow, and capacity planning.

• Experience managing safety, productivity, employee performance, and operational KPIs.

• Strong problem-solving, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees and leaders at all levels.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following manufacturing environments is highly preferred:

• Plastics manufacturing

• Injection molding

• Extrusion

• Rubber manufacturing

• Foam manufacturing

• Vinyl manufacturing

• Thermoforming

• Packaging manufacturing

• Industrial or component manufacturing

Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, waste reduction, process optimization, and KPI-driven operations is also highly valued.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader who:

• Has successfully managed a plant or significant manufacturing operation.

• Understands both people management and production performance.

• Can effectively lead supervisors and hourly production teams.

• Uses data and KPIs to drive operational decisions.

• Has a strong safety mindset.

• Can identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements.

• Builds accountability while maintaining positive employee relationships.

• Is committed to developing people and creating a high-performing manufacturing culture.

Benefits

• Immediate vacation eligibility

• Profit-sharing bonus opportunity

• Tuition reimbursement

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• HRA and FSA options

• Company-paid life insurance

• AD&D insurance

• Long-term disability insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid holidays

• Casual and collaborative work environment

Hiring Process

Qualified candidates will participate in an initial phone interview followed by an on-site interview with the leadership team.

Final candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment background check and 4-panel drug screen.