Senior Plant Manager

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH

We are conducting a confidential, retained search for a senior plant manager at a well-established US manufacturing company. The senior plant manager will lead all manufacturing, production, and operational functions for a product business, in partnership with the Director of Operations. We seek executives with 15+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership, including at least 10 years in plant management.

Search Reference: TNF-MFG-SPM-2026 | Plant Leadership Mandate, US Manufacturing

About This Search

Top Notch Finders holds an exclusive, strictly confidential retained search for a plant leader at a well-established US manufacturing organization. To protect our client and every candidate, we disclose the company’s identity and the location of its operations only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. In addition, Top Notch Finders receives and manages every inquiry and application directly.

The Senior Plant Manager Opportunity

This leader holds full accountability for site performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. As a result, the role demands strong leadership, deep manufacturing knowledge, and hands-on involvement on the production floor. In addition, this executive joins the operations leadership team, drives alignment across product lines, and supports best practices across the manufacturing network.

Market Context

Low- and mid-volume, high-mix production demands leaders who balance flexibility with discipline. Therefore, the site leader must run make-to-stock and make-to-order work at the same time while the team keeps improving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations, including production, maintenance, sourcing, materials, inventory, warehousing, planning, scheduling, and logistics.
• Maintain a strong shop floor presence and respond directly to production issues and people’s needs.
• Apply manufacturing process knowledge to identify practical solutions.
• Uphold the company’s values and build an inclusive, accountable, results-driven culture.
• Coach and develop talent to build a high-performing, motivated workforce.
• Enforce environmental, health, and safety standards and foster a culture of safety.
• Drive continuous improvement with operational excellence tools and Lean methods to improve throughput, reduce waste, and optimize cost.
• Partner with Product Management, Engineering, and Supply Chain, including design for manufacturing, for a smooth transition from design to production.
• Respond to customer needs and field issues with timely, high-quality solutions.
• Manage plant P&L metrics, budgets, and performance targets in line with business objectives.
• Serve as the primary operational interface to corporate functions and other manufacturing sites.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in industrial management, applied engineering, business, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Bring 15+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership in make-to-stock and make-to-order environments.
• Show at least 10 years in plant management or an equivalent leadership role.
• Show success managing complex, multi-product, low- and mid-volume, high-mix production.
• Bring strong ERP/MRP and data-driven decision-making experience.
• Read and interpret blueprints, assemblies, and mechanical diagrams.
• Apply Lean and continuous improvement methods to lead change and deliver measurable results.
• Preferably, manage cross-functional support areas such as technical support, order management, and aftermarket operations.
• Communicate and lead well, building alignment and accountability across functions and levels.

Key Competencies

• Operational leadership: sets clear direction and builds systems and metrics for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Continuous improvement: promotes standard work, process stability, and visual management.
• Customer focus: connects manufacturing with technical support, order entry, and aftermarket teams.
• Results focus: perseveres through obstacles and inspires others to do the same.
• Collaboration: builds trust-based partnerships across product lines, functions, and sites.
• People development: coaches, mentors, and rewards performance.
• Strategic thinking: evaluates future automation, technology, and productivity opportunities.

How to Apply in Confidence

This is a discreet, retained engagement. We will never present your candidacy to any organization without your explicit prior authorization. In addition, the hiring company cannot see any application at this stage.

If you are an accomplished manufacturing executive and want to be considered as our next senior plant manager, please submit your resume in confidence through the Top Notch Finders website. Reference search code TNF-MFG-SPM-2026 in your submission. However, do not include export-controlled technical data or other proprietary information of any kind in your application materials. We will contact only the candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate.