Plant Manager
Description
The Plant Manager (Estherville, Iowa facility) is responsible for the end‑to‑end operation of the Estherville, Iowa facility, including production, assembly, warehousing, shipping/receiving, safety, quality, and workforce leadership. This role is accountable for meeting production targets, maintaining safe and efficient operations, and building the operational foundation to support planned growth. This position reports to the corporate Manufacturing Manager and serves as the on‑site operational leader for Iowa.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs):
- Safety performance and incident reduction
- On‑time production and delivery
- Labor productivity and cost control
- Employee engagement and retention
- Operational readiness for growth
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
All positions require the ability to work well with more than one department and individuals in various roles, and to work independently to complete the essential functions.
WAREHOUSE AND PRODUCTION POSITIONS:
- Warehouse and production positions are required to focus on safety as a key priority during the entire workday. Safety procedures must be followed, and safety concerns must be reported. All employees are responsible for making safety their responsibility.
- Work will be performed in a warehouse/plant-type environment where temperatures may fluctuate.
- Responsibilities may require the performance of duties outside the warehouse, but exposure to severe weather and extreme conditions will be minimal.
- Must be able to work in a team environment and perform duties that may require more than one employee's participation to complete the task.
- Required to work well independently and with minimal supervision.
OTHER:
- Regular and consistent attendance is required.
- Employees must abide by all company policies. It is the employee's responsibility to stay abreast of policy and procedure changes throughout their employment.
- Employees are always required to abide by company safety procedures to ensure the maintenance of a safe and hazard-free work environment.
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn while performing job duties that require the use of PPE.
- Employees may be required to perform other duties not specified in their job descriptions as requested, directed, or assigned.
- Management reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time as deemed necessary.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: PDU Cables | Engineered Products Co., LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Compensation is 75-80(k) base and will include a performance-based bonus tied to Key Performance Indicators.
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead all daily plant operations, including production, assembly, warehousing, and logistics
- Translate company production goals into executable plans for the Estherville facility
- Drive efficiency, throughput, schedule adherence, and on‑time delivery
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, waste reduction, layout optimization)
People Leadership
- Directly oversee and develop a workforce of ~25 hourly and salaried employees (growing)
- Responsible for developing strong frontline leadership, accountability, and engagement
- Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, performance management, and workforce planning
- Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, and operational discipline
Safety & Compliance
- Own facility‑level OSHA compliance, safety training, and incident prevention
- Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards
- Lead corrective actions related to safety, quality, or operational issues
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures
- Partner cross‑functionally to resolve root‑cause issues impacting quality or rework
- Champion a mindset of process improvement and operational excellence
Inventory, Warehouse & Materials
- Oversee warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory control, storage, and shipping
- Ensure material availability aligns with production schedules
- Implement controls to improve inventory accuracy and flow
Financial & Performance Management
- Manage labor efficiency, overtime, scrap, and plant‑level cost control
- Track and report key metrics: productivity, safety, quality, delivery, and labor performance
- Support annual planning and budgeting efforts for the Estherville facility
Growth & Scalability
- Prepare the operation for headcount and volume growth through better systems, training, and layout.
- Support capital planning and equipment needs as the facility scales
Qualifications
JOB KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
- Methodologies: Strong knowledge of process improvement methodologies like Lean Six Sigma.
- Leadership and collaboration: Ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Analytical skills: Expertise in data analysis, problem-solving, and using data to drive decisions.
- Change management: Ability to implement successful change initiatives within an organization.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly oversee and develop a workforce of 25+ hourly and salaried employees with the ability to scale staff further to meet the rapid growth needs of the organization.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing administrative tasks.
- Frequent use of a computer and office equipment, including keyboard, mouse, and printer.
- Ability to operate to complete forklift operation certification and to operate a forklift.
- Occasional lift/push/pull/carry of materials or boxes up to 50lbs.
- Ability to physically walk and maneuver throughout the production cells and warehouse floor to check inventory and job status.
- Visual acuity to read labels, reports, and computer screens.
- Will require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when on the production floor in areas requiring PPE.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- 3–7 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a plant‑level, production, or operations leadership role
- Experience leading day‑to‑day operations in a non‑union manufacturing or warehouse environment, including production, assembly, and materials flow
- Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop frontline employees and supervisors in a hands-on, floor-based setting
- Working knowledge of safety practices and OSHA compliance, with a practical approach to incident prevention and safe work behaviors
- Exposure to continuous improvement practices (Lean, waste reduction, standard work), with the ability to identify and execute incremental improvements
- Experience tracking and responding to operational metrics such as productivity, labor efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery
- Comfort partnering with cross-functional teams to execute plans and support facility growth
- Experience working in small or growing operations where leaders wear multiple hats and systems are still maturing
- Familiarity with ERP systems, production scheduling, inventory control, or warehouse management systems preferred
- Familiarity with label printing software and inventory management systems is a plus.
