Plant Manager

Position Summary

Pregis LLC, a leading global provider of innovative packaging solutions, is seeking a Plant Manager based at its Grand Rapids, MI manufacturing facility, which operates on a 24/7 schedule with 150 to 200 employees with 5 to 8 direct reports.

Pregis Performance Flexibles is a leading blown films manufacturer focused on developing high-quality, converter-grade sealant films, and other flexible packaging solutions. Our expansive resources, talent and innovative products are engineered to solve the critical needs of our customers and the complex end markets in which we operate. 

The Plant Manager is a hands-on leadership position that leads, supports, coaches, directs, and oversees all daily operations of the plant from production and manufacturing to ensuring policies and procedures are followed. The Plant Manager develops processes that will maximize stewardship, safety, quality, customer service, productivity, maintenance, and continuous improvement goals and holds the Pregis culture and values.

Job Functions

Engage with operational employees and team members to lead all manufacturing activities. Make recommendations to improve culture, safety, quality, and productivity of operations.

Plan, organize, direct and lead optimum day-to-day operations to exceed our customers’ expectations.

Increase production, assets capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining current quality standards.

Drive world-class operating and materials management practices and create a practical mindset of Lean and continuous improvement across the organization to improve operational capability, to better serve customers and optimize cost structure.

Responsible for production output, product quality and on-time shipping.

Implement strategies in alignment with business strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus to the plant.

Management of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).

Share a trusting relationship with team members and recruit, manage and develop plant staff.

Collect and analyze data to find places of waste or overtime to drive improvement in product quality and reduction of process scrap.

Drive improvements and enhancements to plant safety programs.

Ensures effective training and coaching of plant personnel.

Ensures plant housekeeping meets established standards.

Create, foster, and maintain a focus on continuous improvement.

Incorporates vision and values into day-to-day activities and behaviors guiding and motivating others.

Team responsibilities - manage these core functions for the plant to ensure they meet their customer commitments and operational performance metrics.

Ensure goods are procured, production schedules are managed and maintained.

Maintain a positive and solid relationship with customer service.

Create and foster a positive work environment cross-functionally.

Collaborate with R&D to run new product trials, optimize production performance and lower overall manufacturing costs.

Job Requirements

Education / Experience:

8+ years of experience in plant management for a manufacturing business, working with multiple sites and multiple product/service categories.

Proven leadership within manufacturing environments.

Bachelor’s degree required

Prior experience managing direct reports is a must.

Blown film experience preferred but not required.

Skills & Training:

Proficient knowledge of business and management principles (budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation and human resources).

Excellent computer skills including MS Office; and SAP a plus.

Familiarity with regulatory requirements for operating plants.

Ability to create accountability and to lead by example.

Strong team building, decision-making and people management skills.

Capable of leading root cause analysis investigations.

Knowledge of process improvement principles such as Lean, Six Sigma.

Exceptional written, verbal skills.

Some travel required <15%

Manage year-over-year cost savings

Interpret P&L and provide details behind the data

Manage annual capital budgeting/implementation

ISO – SQF – BRC knowledge preferred

Prior Project Management Experience 

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