Plant Manager

• manufacturing
• building products
• operations leadership

Plant Manager
Kitchener, Ontario
125K + 20% STI + LTI + benefits + RRSP

Our client, a well-established manufacturer within the building products sector, is looking for an experienced Plant Manager to lead its Kitchener operation.
This is a highly hands-on leadership role within a smaller manufacturing facility of approximately 20 employees. The successful candidate will have ownership of the day-to-day plant operation, including production, scheduling, safety, quality, labour relations, continuous improvement, maintenance coordination and budget performance.

The plant currently operates on a single shift and supports a mix of standard and customer-specific production requirements, including OEM and just-in-time business. This means the Plant Manager needs to be adaptable, practical and comfortable working in an environment where priorities and production needs can shift quickly.

The Role As Plant Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently and in line with customer requirements.
You will work closely with sales, supply chain and other internal teams to understand demand, upcoming projects, lead times and production priorities.
This is not a purely administrative leadership position. The successful candidate will be visible on the plant floor, involved in solving operational challenges and comfortable getting into the details when required.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the daily operations of the Kitchener manufacturing facility
• Managing and supporting a team of approximately 20 employees
• Developing production schedules based on customer demand, labour, inventory and equipment availability
• Working closely with sales and supply chain teams to understand upcoming requirements and customer priorities
• Managing production performance, labour utilization, waste, quality and throughput
• Leading health and safety initiatives and maintaining strong safety standards throughout the facility
• Supporting proper material handling, ergonomics and safe equipment operation
• Managing quality standards and ensuring products meet required specifications
• Coordinating product testing and corrective actions where required
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives and applying Lean Manufacturing principles
• Supporting preventative maintenance and equipment reliability
• Troubleshooting operational and mechanical issues with internal and external resources
• Coordinating third-party transportation and trucking providers
• Managing raw materials and inventory requirements
• Managing the plant budget and monitoring operational KPIs
• Developing corrective action plans when financial or operational targets are not achieved
• Maintaining a positive and productive relationship with the union
• Administering the collective bargaining agreement and participating in CBA negotiations as required

What We’re Looking For We are looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership with a practical, hands-on approach.
The ideal candidate will bring:

• Previous experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager or similar manufacturing leader
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment
• Strong production planning and scheduling experience
• Experience managing employees in a unionized environment
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labour relations
• Strong health and safety leadership
• Experience with continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing
• Strong mechanical or technical aptitude
• Experience managing quality standards and production specifications
• Budget and financial management experience
• Experience working with ERP systems
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Strong communication and people leadership skills
• A customer-focused mindset
• The ability to work within a larger organizational structure while taking ownership of the local operation

Experience within building products, insulation, foam, plastics, windows and doors, glass, automotive components, or similar manufacturing environments would be particularly relevant.
Candidates coming from larger manufacturing organizations may also be well suited, particularly those who are comfortable moving into a smaller environment where the Plant Manager is expected to be highly involved in the operation.
The Ideal Leadership Style This opportunity will suit someone who is:

• Hands-on and approachable
• Comfortable being visible on the plant floor
• Resourceful and solutions-oriented
• Mechanically curious
• Strong with people
• Organized and able to manage competing priorities
• Comfortable making decisions
• Focused on safety, quality and customer service
• Able to understand the full manufacturing process and bring all the moving pieces together

Compensation The compensation package includes:

• Base salary up to approximately $125,000
• Annual short-term incentive target of approximately 20%, with additional upside based on performance
• Long-term incentive opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits
• Strong corporate support and access to resources across the broader organization

Why Consider This Opportunity? This is a stable and well-maintained operation with an experienced team and a positive labour environment.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to take ownership of the Kitchener facility while also benefiting from the structure, resources and support of a larger manufacturing organization.
For someone who enjoys being close to the operation, solving problems, developing people and continuously improving how a plant performs, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact.