Printing Plant Manager in Newington, Connecticut at Data-Mail, Inc.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the Data-Graphics manufacturing facility. This position directs all aspects of plant operations, including production, quality, safety, maintenance, staffing, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Plant Manager ensures production commitments are met while maintaining high quality standards, maximizing operational efficiency, controlling costs, and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and safety.

The Plant Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs), customer satisfaction goals, employee engagement objectives, and business growth initiatives.

Operations Management

1. Direct and oversee all day-to-day plant operations, including production, scheduling, quality, safety, maintenance and receiving activities.
2. Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining quality standards, delivery commitments, and operational efficiency.
3. Develop, monitor, and achieve plant performance metrics related to productivity, quality, waste reduction, safety, downtime, labor utilization, and customer satisfaction.
4. Collaborate with sales, customer service, prepress, and production teams to ensure customer expectations are consistently met or exceeded.
5. Establish priorities and allocate resources to support production requirements and business objectives.
6. Analyze operational performance and implement corrective actions as needed to improve productivity and profitability.

Leadership & Employee Development

1. Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, and production personnel to maximize performance and engagement.
2. Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, professionalism, and employee development.
3. Conduct performance evaluations, establish performance expectations, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
4. Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, employee relations matters, recruitment, retention, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
5. Ensure employees receive appropriate training and development opportunities to support operational excellence.

Quality Management

1. Champion quality initiatives to ensure products consistently meet customer specifications and company quality standards.
2. Investigate quality concerns and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.
3. Monitor production processes and identify opportunities for process improvement and defect reduction.
4. Work closely with client services and suppliers to address quality-related concerns and maintain strong business relationships.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

1. Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, environmental regulations, and applicable OSHA requirements.
2. Promote and maintain a safe work environment through training, audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
3. Conduct regular safety reviews and support accident investigation and root cause analysis activities.
4. Ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is utilized and safety procedures are consistently followed.

Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

1. Oversee preventive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
2. Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, waste reduction, and cost-saving initiatives throughout the facility.
3. Evaluate equipment, processes, and workflows to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and operational effectiveness.
4. Develop and implement strategies to improve throughput, reduce spoilage, and optimize labor utilization.

Financial Management

1. Develop and manage departmental budgets and operational expenses.
2. Monitor labor costs, production costs, and capital expenditures to ensure financial targets are achieved.
3. Participate in forecasting, strategic planning, and capital investment decisions affecting the facility.

Communication & Reporting

1. Communicate operational results, goals, and key initiatives to leadership and employees.
2. Prepare and present reports on plant performance, production metrics, quality trends, safety performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
3. Keep executive management informed of significant operational issues, risks, and opportunities.
4. Perform other duties as assigned in support of company objectives.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience overseeing production operations and employees.
• Printing, packaging, direct mail, graphic communications, or related manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programs.
• Experience managing budgets, KPIs, production planning, and quality systems.

COMPETENCIES

Leadership

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities
• Ability to motivate and develop employees at all levels
• Effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management skills
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities

Operational Excellence

• Knowledge of manufacturing operations and process improvement methodologies
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
• Experience utilizing production metrics and KPIs to drive results
• Strong project management and organizational skills

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of printing operations, lithographic printing, flexographic printing, finishing, and mailing operations preferred
• Understanding of quality management systems and root cause analysis techniques
• Knowledge of maintenance planning and equipment reliability principles

Communication & Business Skills

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to effectively manage customer, vendor, and employee relationships