Plant Manager - Manufacturing

Kitchener, ON
On-site
Posted Oct 7, 2026
1 position

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Senior · 5+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Plant Manager will oversee end-to-end production operations, including fabrication, shipping, and raw material intake. They are responsible for driving operational efficiency, fostering a safety-focused culture, and leading a team of approximately 20 employees.

Job details

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 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 Trevor Frances Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and will work to accommodate needs throughout the recruitment process.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must have 5–8+ years of management experience within a manufacturing environment and a hands-on leadership style. A post-secondary education in Engineering or Business Management is preferred, along with experience in Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.