Plant Manager Foley, MN

Plant Manager – Pulp Molding Operations Mission To glorify God in all that we do by operating our company consistent with Biblical principles and exemplifying Christ to all people — through stewardship, excellence, and servant leadership. Position Summary The Plant Manager oversees all daily operations of the LEI Packaging pulp molding facility, ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency in manufacturing. This role directs and manages all plant operations with overall responsibilities for production, maintenance, quality, and other production-related activities. This individual will lead a team of dedicated professionals and will be responsible for fostering a positive and productive work environment. The Plant Manager will also be a key driver of continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing processes, and ensuring the facility meets its production and profitability goals. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership • Oversee all pulp molding manufacturing activities, from raw material to finished product, including fiber preparation, forming, drying, packaging, and logistics. • Develop and enforce production schedules to meet delivery, quality, and cost goals. • Work with the operations team to review performance metrics (OEE, scrap, downtime, throughput) and drive improvements. • Maintain compliance with all environmental, safety, and quality standards (OSHA, EPA, ISO if applicable). • Collaborate with the maintenance team to ensure preventive maintenance programs are executed on all molding and support equipment. Team Management & Development • Directly supervise and mentor maintenance technicians, production staff, and office personnel. • Cultivate a culture of accountability, teamwork, and mutual respect among all plant employees. • Provide training and development opportunities for supervisors and operators on pulp molding process control, troubleshooting, and safety. • Lead by example, embodying the principles of servant leadership and fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Process & Product Quality • Uphold and enhance product quality standards, working closely with the operations and engineering teams. • Analyze pulp recipes, forming pressure, drying curves, and reject rates to identify and implement improvements. • Partner with operations and engineering to trial new molds, product designs, and raw material blends. • Maintain accurate production and quality records for traceability and reporting through the LEI App. Continuous Improvement • Identify and implement lean manufacturing principles and waste-reduction initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce costs. • Optimize energy usage, water recycling, and pulp recovery processes. • Utilize the LEI App to measure and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for efficiency, quality, and cost. • Recommend and justify capital projects to improve capacity, efficiency, and performance. Maintenance Oversight • Oversee the maintenance department to ensure minimal unplanned downtime and maximum equipment reliability. • Manage vendor relationships to ensure the availability of necessary parts and supplies. • Coordinate with the operations team on repair projects and facility maintenance to minimize disruption to production. Cross-Department Collaboration • Work closely with Sales and Operations to align production capacity with customer demand and forecasts. • Support prototyping and short-run production for new product development initiatives. • Provide input to senior management on operational strategy, staffing, and capital planning. Faith & Cultural Leadership • Uphold the company’s values and mission in all decisions and interactions. • Treat all employees, suppliers, and customers with dignity, fairness, and respect. • Foster a work environment grounded in Biblical principles, including grace, honesty, and service. Qualifications • 5+ years of management experience. • Strong mechanical aptitude and a thorough understanding of manufacturing processes. • Proven leadership ability with a passion for servant leadership and a track record of mentoring and developing employees. • Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies. • Excellent…