Interim Plant Manager

Work Industries has been retained by a well-established industrial manufacturer in the Erie, Pennsylvania area to identify an experienced Interim Plant Manager to provide operational leadership during a period of business transformation.

The facility employs approximately 120 employees and manufactures engineered products for customers across North America. The incoming Plant Manager will be responsible for stabilizing daily operations, improving on-time delivery, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and developing front-line leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of plant operations, including production, safety, quality, maintenance, warehousing, and shipping.


• Provide leadership to a team of supervisors, department managers, and hourly manufacturing employees across multiple shifts.


• Improve production efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on safety and product quality.


• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives and identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve throughput.


• Monitor key performance indicators, including OEE, scrap, labor productivity, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery.


• Partner with engineering, supply chain, quality, and customer service to resolve production challenges and improve customer satisfaction.


• Build accountability throughout the organization through coaching, performance management, and employee engagement.


• Support capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades as needed.


• Report directly to executive leadership and provide regular operational updates.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.


• Previous Plant Manager or Senior Operations Manager experience within a manufacturing environment.


• Demonstrated success leading facilities with 100+ employees.


• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and KPI-driven operations.


• Experience managing safety, quality, maintenance, and production teams.


• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline preferred.

Preferred Industry Experience

Candidates with experience in industrial manufacturing, metals, building products, engineered materials, automotive, chemicals, or process manufacturing are encouraged to apply.

Compensation

Competitive hourly or weekly rate based on experience. Travel assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

If you have a proven history of improving plant performance and leading manufacturing teams through operational challenges, we'd like to speak with you.