Reporting to the General Manager, Operations & Business Services, the Plant Manager is responsible for all aspects of plant operations, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production that meets customer expectations and aligns with organizational objectives. This strategic role involves leading daily operations, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and innovation. The Plant Manager plays a critical role in advancing operational excellence, optimizing resources, and supporting the company’s long-term growth and sustainability through effective planning, leadership, and collaboration.
1. Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and Sustainability
• Ensure compliance with legal and company safety and environmental regulations to provide a safe, eco-friendly working environment.
• Integrate sustainability practices into health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Lead by example to achieve accident-free workplace.
• Develop and execute health and safety plans, incorporating preventative measures and addressing risks proactively.
• Lead initiatives to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint and energy consumption, aligning operations with corporate sustainability goals.
• Develop and implement programs to minimize waste, increase recycling, and optimize resource usage.
• Cultivate a culture of safety and environmental responsibility through employee training, awareness programs, policy enforcement and community engagement initiatives.
• Monitor and address safety risks or incidents, taking corrective and preventive actions promptly.
• Regularly monitor and report on environmental impact metrics, driving continuous improvement in sustainability performance.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for sustainable manufacturing processes.
2. Plant Operations and Production Management
• Plan, organize, and oversee daily plant operations to meet production goals and customer expectations.
• Optimize production capacity, flexibility, and asset utilization while minimizing unnecessary costs.
• Ensure equipment availability, reliability, and sustainability to maintain seamless operations.
• Oversee production output, product quality, and on-time delivery, ensuring alignment with company standards.
• Lead and coordinate maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime, maximize capacity utilization, and optimize production output. Focus on reducing Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) by effectively utilizing our Maintenance Management software.
• Collaborate with other department managers to achieve manufacturing objectives effectively.
• Monitor operational performance, analyze data, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop and manage operational budgets (OPEX), ensuring cost control and financial accountability.
• Maintain and update operational ERP modules (e.g., BOM, routes, costs) for process efficiency.
3. Process Improvement and Innovation
• Analyze production processes to improve safety, quality, productivity, and reliability while reducing waste and costs.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Just-In-Time (JIT), and other efficiency-enhancing methodologies.
• Propose and execute continuous improvement initiatives, modernization projects, and CAPEX investments.
• Oversee the implementation, testing, and performance measurement of new equipment and tools.
• Drive the industrialization of new products and modifications to existing processes.
4. Quality Control
• Collaborate with Quality Managers to understand customer requirements and ensure high-quality production standards.
• Implement and enforce Quality Management Systems (QMS) aligned with Group standards.
• Promote a zero-defect mindset through effective quality control practices and continuous training.
• Resolve quality issues impacting production or customer satisfaction swiftly and effectively.
5. Management and Leadership
• Lead internal communication by sharing company strategy, goals, and plant performance updates with employees.
• Enforce the company’s Performance Management System, including setting KPIs, regular feedback, and career development plans.
• Work with HR to create learning and development pathways for team members.
• Develop workforce technical skills in key areas: robotics, industrial IT, preventive maintenance, advanced electrical and mechanical maintenance.
• Propose and implement organizational changes, staffing plans, and payroll budgets aligned with strategic goals.
• Build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the team.
6. Nuclear Safety
• Ensure that nuclear safety is taken into account in decision making and actions, and that it always takes precedence over any other consideration.
• Use a balanced, rigorous, and prudent approach to decision making with respect to quality, cost, and schedule such that nuclear safety is never compromised.
• Ensure that involved personnel understand not only their own responsibilities and the consequences of mistakes, but also those of their immediate colleagues and how these responsibilities complement each other.
• Ensure that key operational and technical positions are filled by competent and knowledgeable persons that are empowered to speak openly.
• Adopt and encourage a questioning attitude, particularly when choices, or lack thereof, are presented.
• Challenge unsafe decisions, acts, behaviors, and conditions.
• Take prompt conservative and preventive actions when an incident that could affect nuclear safety is reported, even if not yet fully understood or documented.
• Communicate transparently to the Board of Directors any issue which might compromise nuclear safety, including any human, technical or organizational issue.
7. IT and Systems Integration
• Standardize and harmonize operational modules (e.g., BOM, routes) across industrial sites.
• Develop and deploy standardized reports to monitor performance and enhance data-driven decision-making.
• Leverage ERP and IT systems to support operational efficiency and reporting.
8. Automation and Smart Manufacturing
• Develop and implement automation strategies to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and safety.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance plant performance.
• Lead the integration of smart manufacturing systems, ensuring seamless operation with existing equipment and IT infrastructure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to automate repetitive tasks, reduce human error, and streamline workflows.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of automated systems, driving continuous improvement through data analytics and predictive maintenance.
• Build technical expertise within the team to support the implementation and maintenance of automation technologies.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, proposing initiatives to maintain a competitive edge.
• Ensure automation solutions align with sustainability goals by optimizing energy use and reducing waste.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Production Engineering, or related field.
- Additional certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management, or Production and Inventory Management (e.g., CPIM) are a plus.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in plant management or similar roles, including at least 5 years of proven success in team leadership in a manufacturing environment.
- Extensive knowledge of production processes, quality control systems, safety protocols, and supply chain management.
- Demonstrated success in implementing productivity enhancements, cost-saving measures, and safety improvements.
- Hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing and Just-In-Time principles.
- Familiarity with technical drawings and the ability to translate them into actionable production plans.
- Experience in budget management, CAPEX planning, and resource allocation.
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
- Proficient in ERP systems for manufacturing operations and inventory management.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- Familiarity with production planning software and other digital tools used for process optimization is a plus.
Key competencies:
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and guide teams toward strategic goals.
- Strong analytical skills with a track record of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, adapt to dynamic environments, and meet tight deadlines.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to align plant operations with company objectives