Benicia Plant Manager at RIX INDUSTRIES – Benicia, California

RIX Industries is a technology-focused company specializing in the design, development and manufacturing of gas generation systems, precision compressor solutions, and cryogenic cooling technologies for critical applications in Marine, Aerospace, Land, Energy, Industrial, Medical, and Critical Infrastructure markets. Founded in 1878, the company is headquartered in Benicia, CA, and operates additional facilities in Sparks, NV.

Position Summary

The Benicia Plant Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Benicia Plant and with the responsibility of overseeing the following:

• Management of all production floor activities including assembly, testing, repair and overhaul of Government or commercial owned products.
• Ensures that aftermarket, field service and warranty customers are appropriately supported.
• Ensures facility safety, security, maintenance and coordinates repair & renovations.

The Benicia Plant Manager is a critical advocate and leader of a Continuous Improvement (CI) culture and is responsible for driving change that enhances corporate performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a comprehensive safety culture that ensures safe working conditions and a strong safety culture.
• Ensure compressors, gas generators, and associated assemblies are produced on schedule and meet established quality standards.
• Monitor production progress and labor performance, taking corrective action to maintain schedule and cost targets.
• Lead all manufacturing operations, ensuring coordination across departments to achieve production, cost, and quality objectives.
• Coordinate with CSS (Customer Support & Service) to support overhaul and repair operations, warranty matters, and repair or parts quotations while maximizing service profitability.
• Monitor workload, factory performance, and work-in-progress using the ERP system (CSI) and operational metrics.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve operational efficiency and performance.
• Manage plant operating expenses and departmental budgets while ensuring adequate tools, materials, and supplies to support production.
• Maintain the Benicia facility, infrastructure, and equipment, including preventative maintenance for plant equipment and vehicles.
• Lead and promote a comprehensive safety culture that ensures safe working conditions and a strong safety culture.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop qualified personnel while ensuring departments are appropriately staffed and cross-trained.
• Conduct performance reviews for direct reports and ensure timely evaluations.
• Promote clear communication across departments and implement visual management tools to improve alignment and visibility of work.
• Schedule production meetings, provide operational updates, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Build and protect a culture grounded in trust, where employees are accountable for producing and passing forward only conforming product.
• Empower employees to question potential nonconformance without fear of retaliation and reinforce adherence to established procedures and standards.
• Lead by example in demonstrating integrity and ensuring processes are followed so that doing the right thing is always the easiest and expected path.
• Apply proactive systems thinking to anticipate risks and identify operational bottlenecks before they impact performance.
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset by simplifying processes, reducing waste, and strengthening operational efficiency.
• Foster collaborative leadership by partnering with Engineering, Quality Control, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and improve outcomes.
• Hold teams accountable while maintaining professional respect and trust.
• Drive a sense of operational urgency to accelerate issue resolution and improvement efforts.
• All other duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Operations Management, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or Equivalent experience.
• 5 years' of progressive management experience leading high-performing teams, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding operational goals.
• 10 years' experience in the manufacturing of complex electrical mechanical assemblies.
• 5 years' complex mechanical manufacturing systems knowledge or hands-on experience.
• Considerable experience with Lean/Six Sigma Manufacturing principles/tools and change management.
• Experience with facility maintenance, environmental health and safety, fulfilling Federal and State regulations, and industry best practices for manufacturing compliance.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, structural drawings, schematics and operating manuals.
• Substantial experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Advanced computer skills with the ability to adapt to a variety of software applications.
• Ability to perform calculations such as percentages, ratios and fractions with working knowledge of geometry.
• Ability to analyze bottlenecks and implement effective solutions quickly.
• Mechanical and electrical fabrication/assembly/test method experience, particularly welding; applicable to complex mechanical systems.
• Experience in the quality assurance requirements typical of Defense and high end Commercial customers.
• Ability to communicate with others to exchange information both orally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills to bridge communication between the production floor and senior management.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or qualified U.S. Person in accordance with ALU 22CFR 120.15.

Physical Requirements

1. This position is regularly exposed to the following conditions:

• Manufacturing, warehouse and office environment.
• While working near moving equipment, mechanical parts and lift trucks; must have the ability to follow safe operating procedures.
• May be exposed to loud noise, fumes and/or toxic chemicals.

2. Must have the following physical abilities:

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, stretch, reach, and lift.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods at a desk or table as well as machine tools or printers.

Work Environment

Production

Compensation

$160,000 + DOE

Equal Opportunity

RIX Industries is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with RIX Industries, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).