Plant Manager

Plant Manager

Location: Blythewood, SC
Business Unit: Xerxes
Work Model: Onsite

Summary

The Plant Manager will lead all plant operations, production performance, quality, safety, and cost effectiveness for the Xerxes operation in Blythewood, SC. This role is critical to strengthening plant performance through disciplined problem solving, visible floor leadership, workforce engagement, and accountability across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and production volume. The Plant Manager will partner closely with production, maintenance, logistics, finance, purchasing, human resources, QHSE, engineering, sales, and corporate leadership to ensure the facility produces the right products safely, efficiently, and in alignment with customer and business expectations.

Responsibilities

Drive Manufacturing Performance

• Lead all plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Develop, monitor, and adjust production schedules to align with customer demand.
• Improve production techniques to enhance safety, throughput, standardization, and product quality.
• Coordinate production strategies and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure material planning is aligned with production requirements.
• Monitor incoming material quality and finished product quality.
• Partner with supply chain teams to resolve inventory and material availability challenges.
• Develop frontline leaders and strengthen overall plant leadership capability.

Build a High-Performance Culture

• Partner with Human Resources to implement workforce strategies, programs, and policies.
• Address employee relations matters and support personnel programs.
• Foster an engaged, accountable, and results-oriented culture.
• Promote organizational values and strengthen employee involvement in problem solving.
• Support incentive programs and reinforce shared accountability across the workforce.

Lead Maintenance and Reliability Initiatives

• Ensure equipment effectiveness through preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Oversee facility improvements and special projects.
• Develop maintenance processes that improve uptime and operational reliability.
• Build skilled trades capability and promote a proactive maintenance environment.
• Maintain facility conditions that meet organizational standards.

Support Customer and Operational Excellence

• Partner with Production Logistics to align operations with customer requirements.
• Monitor production schedules, order processing, and backlog performance.
• Resolve operational challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support customer field service requirements and host customer visits and facility tours.
• Monitor finished goods inventories and ensure timely invoicing.

Manage Financial Performance

• Analyze operational performance metrics, including labor efficiency, productivity, absenteeism, inventory, backlog, and overall plant performance.
• Manage plant operating budgets and expenditures.
• Support forecasting activities and maintain forecast accuracy.
• Develop capital requests to support production requirements.
• Partner with purchasing to implement effective material procurement strategies.

Ensure Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with environmental permits and reporting requirements.
• Partner with QHSE teams to support regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Facilitate audits, inspections, and required documentation.
• Review incident reporting and support corrective action efforts.
• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the facility.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 5 years of recent experience as a Plant Manager with responsibility for manufacturing operations and shop floor leadership.
• Proven experience leading production, quality, safety, maintenance, and operational performance initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement techniques.
• Project management and project coordination experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience managing operational metrics and plant performance.
• Ability to drive accountability, employee engagement, and performance improvement.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• More than 7 years of leadership experience in plant operations.
• Experience supporting plant expansion, operational scaling, or significant growth initiatives.

Why Join Mattr?

• Medical, dental & vision coverage with HSA contributions
• 401(k) with company match, vested immediately
• Attractive incentive bonus plans
• Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Wellness incentives
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discounts on fitness, shopping & travel (Blue365, LifeMart & more)