Plant Manager

• Lead plant operations using Lean principles to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and improve flow, utilizing tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Standard Work.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by engaging teams in problem-solving and process optimization.
• Facilitate regular Kaizen events and ensure follow-through on improvement initiatives.

• Train and empower employees in Lean thinking and practices.
• Build high-performing teams that take ownership of quality, safety, and productivity.

• Promote a zero-incident safety culture through proactive risk identification and mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company safety standards.

• Implement Lean quality systems to detect and prevent defects at the source.
• Use root cause analysis and corrective actions to resolve quality issues.

• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, and takt time.
• Balance production lines and optimize resource utilization to meet customer demand.

• Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities to reduce operational costs.
• Collaborate with finance and supply chain teams to manage budgets and improve cost efficiency.

• Use visual controls and dashboards to communicate performance and progress.
• Conduct daily Gemba walks to observe operations and engage with frontline teams.

• Implement Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to increase equipment uptime and reliability.
• Coordinate preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

• Align plant goals with corporate strategy through Hoshin Kanri (policy deployment).
• Support long-term growth through capacity planning and Lean transformation initiatives.

• Ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• Proficient in conflict resolution and performance management.

• Skilled in aligning plant operations with broader business goals.
• Capable of long-term planning and decision-making.

• Data-driven decision-making using KPIs and operational metrics.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities.

• Clear and effective communication across all levels of the organization.
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, HR, and supply chain teams.

• Planning and executing improvement projects on time and within budget.
• Managing capital projects and technology upgrades.

• Navigating change and uncertainty in dynamic manufacturing environments.
• Maintaining composure and focus under pressure.

• Develop and manage the plant's operating budget, including labor, materials, maintenance, and overhead.
• Monitor actual vs. forecasted spending and take corrective actions to stay within budget.

• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through Lean practices, waste elimination, and process optimization.
• Track and report savings from continuous improvement projects.

• Evaluate and justify capital investments for equipment, technology upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Ensure ROI and payback periods align with company financial goals.

• Optimize inventory levels to reduce carrying costs while maintaining production continuity.
• Minimize excess and obsolete inventory through demand planning and Just-In-Time (JIT) practices.

• Provide regular financial performance updates to senior leadership.
• Analyze plant metrics such as cost per unit, scrap rates, and labor efficiency to inform decision-making.

• Organizational Leadership & Supervision
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Technology
• Business Administration (with a manufacturing focus)

• Master's Degree (MBA or MS in Operations/Engineering)

• Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma
• Production Planning and Scheduling
• Quality Systems and Root Cause Analysis
• Equipment and Maintenance Management
• ERP/MRP Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

• Strategic Planning and Execution
• Financial Acumen (Budgeting, Cost Control, ROI Analysis)
• Team Development and Performance Management
• Change Management and Employee Engagement
• Strong Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Data-Driven Decision-Making
• KPI Tracking and Performance Analysis
• Process Mapping and Optimization

• Must be a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident.
• Will be subject to successful completion of a required security assessment and background check under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program

Kennametal