Plant Manager

Plant ManagerJob DescriptionThe Plant Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a heavy manufacturing facility that produces custom-engineered power infrastructure products. This role leads multi-trade production teams, drives safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals, and ensures efficient operation across fabrication, welding, assembly, and related manufacturing processes. The Plant Manager collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to support production schedules, continuous improvement initiatives, workforce development, and overall plant performance in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of a manufacturing plant producing custom-engineered power infrastructure products for data center and mission-critical applications.
• Own safety, quality, delivery, and productivity performance across all plant activities, ensuring compliance with established standards and continuous improvement of key metrics.
• Manage multi-trade production operations, including welding, heavy fabrication, structural steel manufacturing, and assembly, to meet production targets and customer requirements.
• Oversee production planning and scheduling, aligning capacity, resources, and materials to meet on-time delivery commitments.
• Implement and sustain lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve throughput.
• Use ERP systems to manage production workflows, inventory, and scheduling, and to monitor performance against operational goals.
• Lead, develop, and mentor production teams, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Drive ISO 9001 quality system practices within the plant, ensuring adherence to documented processes and supporting audits and corrective actions.
• Manage budgeting, cost control, and labor utilization to achieve financial performance targets and support profitable growth.
• Support facility startup, expansion, or scale-up activities, including establishing processes, building teams, and optimizing layouts and workflows.
• Oversee preventive maintenance and reliability programs for plant equipment to minimize downtime and support consistent production output.
• Collaborate with supply chain and inventory management teams to ensure material availability and effective inventory control.
• Partner with engineering, quality, maintenance, logistics, and other cross-functional groups to resolve issues and support continuous improvement across the plant.
• Provide leadership and direction for workforce development, including training, skills enhancement, and succession planning.
• Influence operations and strategy for the plant, contributing to long-term planning and supporting the organizations growth objectives.
• Maintain a strong hands-on presence on the plant floor to support safety initiatives, monitor production, and engage with employees.
• Support the manufacture of electrical equipment, switchgear, and power distribution products, ensuring alignment with customer specifications and engineered-to-order requirements.
• Shape plant culture by implementing effective processes, promoting teamwork, and reinforcing operational excellence.
• Report on plant performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and recommending actions to improve efficiency, quality, and delivery.

Essential Skills

• Proven manufacturing leadership experience in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-trade production management, including welding, fabrication, and assembly operations.
• Strong background in heavy fabrication and structural steel manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ownership and management of safety, quality, delivery, and productivity in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience using ERP systems to manage production operations, scheduling, and inventory.
• Proficiency in production planning and scheduling in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering such as Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
• Experience with electrical equipment or power distribution products, including switchgear and electrical power distribution systems.
• ISO 9001 quality systems experience, including implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Experience in budgeting, cost control, and labor management to support plant financial performance.
• Experience with facility startup, expansion, or scale-up in a manufacturing environment.
• background in preventive maintenance and reliability programs for production equipment.
• Experience in supply chain and inventory management within a manufacturing context.
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional leadership capabilities, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in data center, modular construction, or engineered-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with modular building and modular construction processes related to power infrastructure products.
• MBA or advanced technical degree preferred, offering additional expertise in business or engineering disciplines.
• Experience leading teams in a high-growth manufacturing organization with evolving processes and systems.
• Ability to build new teams, implement new processes, and shape plant culture during periods of rapid expansion.
• Demonstrated ability to influence operations and strategy at the plant level.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret operational data and drive performance improvements.
• Proven track record of workforce development, including coaching, mentoring, and training production personnel.

Work EnvironmentThe role is based in a fast-paced production environment that supports custom-engineered power infrastructure products for data center and mission-critical applications. The Plant Manager spends significant time on the plant floor and frequently interacts with fabrication, welding, coating, electrical assembly, quality, maintenance, engineering, and logistics teams. The environment involves heavy manufacturing processes, multi-trade operations, and the use of ERP systems and ISO 9001 quality frameworks. The position requires a hands-on presence to support safety, production, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives, and offers the opportunity to lead a new facility during a period of rapid growth, with high visibility and direct impact on the success and culture of the plant Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Williamstown, WV. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $200000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, company holidays, life and disability insurance, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Williamstown, WV. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Williamstown,WV.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.