Plant Manager - Packaging Industry

Job Description

Our client is a leading plastic manufacturer. They produce high-quality plastic containers for the food, beverage, industrial, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) markets. They are seeking a full-time Plant Operations Manager to join their team at their facility.

The Plant Operations Manager will lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring operational excellence in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role requires a hands-on, data-driven leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and excels at embedding LEAN principles, driving process discipline, and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. You will play a pivotal role in stabilizing performance, improving plant reliability, and supporting the company's growth strategy.

Some of your key responsibilities in this role will include:

Operational Leadership

• Lead all plant operations to achieve performance targets across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Implement and sustain LEAN manufacturing systems and standard work practices to drive efficiency and throughput.
• Champion a process-driven, performance-based approach to operational discipline.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and maintenance coordination to optimize output and equipment uptime.
• Monitor and report daily performance metrics; lead Tier-based review meetings to drive accountability.

Quality & Compliance

• Oversee implementation and adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS) to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to improve product consistency, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with SQF and HACCP programs; maintain audit readiness and continuous improvement of quality processes.
• Lead investigations and corrective action planning for customer complaints and internal non-conformances.

Performance Management

• Develop and track plant KPIs; analyze trends and identify improvement opportunities using data and root cause analysis.
• Manage plant budgets, forecasts, and cost control initiatives to achieve financial performance goals.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, A3) to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce cost-to-serve.
• Drive productivity and labour optimization through effective resource deployment and scheduling.

People Leadership

• Build, coach, and develop a strong, engaged operations team that demonstrates ownership and accountability.
• Set clear expectations, provide feedback, and reinforce a performance-based culture.
• Partner with HR to ensure training, succession planning, and workforce development align with operational needs.
• Promote collaboration, respect, and open communication across all shifts and departments.
• Model best practices in health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, ideally within plastics, packaging, or related CPG industries.
• Proven track record implementing LEAN manufacturing and achieving measurable improvements in efficiency and quality.
• Strong understanding of plastic processing.
• Experience managing financial budgets, CapEx, and continuous improvement programs.
• Skilled in KPI tracking, data analytics, and ERP/MES systems.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, align, and empower cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or Industrial Management; LEAN or Six Sigma certification is an asset.

Application Instructions:

While we appreciate all inquiries, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Please send a resume to Shannon Terpstra at

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.