Plant Operations Manager

Site Operations Leader - Please note this is not a VP Of Operations role. You will be responsible to manage the plant operations and report to the Industrial Director. The client is in need of someone with a more hands-on and operational approach—ideally a strong Manufacturing Manager profile who can actively contribute to the plant start-up and grow with the company over time.

Location - Fort Wayne, IN - This is a 100% onsite role. Only US Citizens or Permanent Residents of US are eligible.

The client is a technology-driven company at the forefront of the electrification of transportation and the decarbonization of energy. They specialize in sustainable, high-performance wire solutions used in electric motors, generators, and transformers.

They are establishing a new manufacturing facility (brownfield) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and seeking a Plant Manager to lead this critical initiative.

Position Summary

The Plant Manager will lead the launch, operational setup, and ongoing management of our Fort Wayne facility. This hands-on leadership role requires a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to build and manage a cross-functional team from the ground up. You will play a vital role in driving operational excellence across production, quality, logistics, maintenance, and engineering, while also acting as the operational representative of the company in the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the greenfield setup and ramp-up of the new manufacturing plant in collaboration with leadership based in Italy.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations across all plant activities.
• Oversee production, quality, maintenance, logistics, and operational engineering functions.
• Meet or exceed daily, weekly, and monthly production goals in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and safety.
• Foster a high-performance plant culture rooted in accountability, communication, and shared values.
• Build, train, and manage a multidisciplinary team with a strong emphasis on leadership development and performance management.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and Continuous Improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and eliminate waste.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and report results to senior leadership.
• Support the industrialization of new products and processes in collaboration with R&D and Engineering teams.
• Manage plant budget, workforce planning, and resource allocation.
• Act as the key U.S.-based operational leader, liaising with Italian leadership and representing company interests on-site.

Required Qualifications

• Education - Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience
• Proven experience in plant or operations management within a manufacturing setting.
• Experience with greenfield or facility startup strongly preferred.
• Background in automotive and electrical manufacturing.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of production systems, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement tools, and industrial KPIs.
• Proficient in MS Office and data analysis platforms.
• Familiarity with ERP and MES systems (experience with implementation is a plus).

Soft Skills

• Demonstrated hands-on leadership with the ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a "get-it-done" attitude.