Trevor Frances Recruitment
Plant Manager - Manufacturing
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Kitchener, CA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- Not specified
- Category
- Manufacturing
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 5–8+ years of management experience within a manufacturing environment
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to troubleshoot technical processes alongside the team
- Experience in a unionized environment is required or strongly preferred
- Post-secondary education in Engineering, Business Management, or a related field is preferred
- Strong understanding of inventory management, production planning, and supply chain logistics
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels
- Proven ability to drive engagement, performance, and cultural change within a production environment
- Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and able to operate with a strong sense of urgency
- Experience in furniture, bedding, or polyurethane-based manufacturing environments is considered an asset
Full description
Plant Manager
Trevor Frances Recruitment is supporting a confidential search for a Plant Manager to lead operations at a specialized manufacturing facility in Kitchener, Ontario. This role is well-suited for a hands-on, entrepreneurial leader who thrives in a fast-paced, agile environment and enjoys being actively involved in day-to-day plant operations.
The Plant Manager will be responsible for overseeing end-to-end production, driving operational efficiency, and fostering a strong, safety-focused and performance-driven culture. This role also plays a key part in supporting business growth, continuous improvement initiatives, and long-term operational strategy.
Job Duties
- Oversee full plant operations, including raw material intake, production, fabrication, and final product shipping
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 20 employees, fostering a positive and engaged workplace culture
- Inspire and motivate teams to exceed performance expectations through continuous improvement initiatives
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and operational discipline, ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, customers, and cross-functional teams
- Support business growth by ensuring high-quality output and efficient turnaround of specialized product lines
- Champion manufacturing initiatives and contribute to the development and execution of strategic and tactical production plans
- Implement and integrate continuous improvement tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) into daily operations
- Develop systems to evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, productivity, and efficiency
- Conduct time studies and establish production standards to optimize performance
- Manage inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain partners to ensure operational continuity
- Oversee multiple production areas and functions, including fabrication, maintenance, and related departments
- Coach employees on problem-solving techniques and provide hands-on support with production troubleshooting
- Manage staffing levels, scheduling, and workforce planning to meet operational demands
Requirements
- 5–8+ years of management experience within a manufacturing environment
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to troubleshoot technical processes alongside the team
- Experience in a unionized environment is required or strongly preferred