Plant Manager

We are seeking a team-oriented, hands-on Plant Manager with a robust background in maintenance leadership. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant operations, with a particular emphasis on developing and executing a world-class maintenance program at our mill in St. Maries, Idaho. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement, ensuring the facility meets production goals while maintaining the highest standards of equipment reliability and team development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the plant’s manufacturing and maintenance operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable production.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, and proactive maintenance programs, including planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Direct and develop a multidisciplinary team, including Maintenance Planners, Millwrights, Electricians, Mechanics, and Production Supervisors.
• Foster a “Safety First” culture, ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental regulations and serving as a role model for safe industrial behavior.
• Collaborate with other departments (Finance, HR, Sales, Marketing, Resources) to align plant performance with company goals and market demands.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging best practices in manufacturing and maintenance to optimize resources and processes.
• Lead and support improvement projects, including research, cost analysis, financial justification, and project management from conception to completion.
• Manage key performance indicators for maintenance and production, such as safety compliance, PM completion, downtime, overtime, expense controls, and plant cleanliness.
• Develop and retain high-performing teams through effective communication, training, and empowerment.
• Build strong relationships across the organization, ensuring active communication and teamwork.
• Utilize modern maintenance management tools (e.g., CMMS, AutoCAD, MS Suite) and interpret technical documents (e.g., blueprints).

Qualifications

• Proven experience in plant management or senior manufacturing leadership, with a strong track record in maintenance supervision and program development.
• Minimum of five years in maintenance leadership, with hands-on experience in preventive, predictive, and proactive maintenance.
• Strong technical skills in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and strong understanding of PLC systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in a continuous improvement environment.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communicator, able to set clear expectations and drive accountability.
• Experience with process optimization.
• Business acumen to manage budgets, control costs, and justify investments.
• High school diploma required; college-level education in a related field preferred.