Plant Manager at MAKS Plastics in CALDWELL, ID

High Country Plastics, a subsidiary of MAKS Plastics, is committed to providing safe, durable, creative, and efficient products for our customers and the animals they care for. Our diverse product offering includes solutions across feeding, watering, trailer accessories, barn organization, and more. We take pride in developing products that save our customers time and money while delivering the quality and durability they expect. At MAKS Plastics, we thrive on a People First, Customer focused Culture that works hard, plays hard and is Family Focused.

SUMMARY: The Plant Manager oversees all day-to-day operations of the manufacturing facility, from production and manufacturing through shipping and customer order fulfillment. This leader is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, productive, and efficient operation while ensuring quality standards, production goals, and customer commitments are met.

The Plant Manager will provide leadership across production, maintenance, safety, quality, staffing, process improvement, and financial performance. Working closely with leadership and engineering, this individual will develop and improve processes that maximize safety, quality, productivity, asset utilization, and overall operational performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Operations Management

· Plan, organize, direct, and manage daily plant operations to meet and exceed customer expectations.

· Ensure production output, product quality, and on-time shipping goals are achieved.

· Increase production capacity, flexibility, and asset utilization while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining quality standards.

· Coordinate production schedules and priorities to support customer demand and business objectives.

· Oversee manufacturing processes, equipment performance, maintenance needs, and operational resources.

· Partner with engineering and other departments to support new products, process improvements, and efficient production.

Safety & Compliance

· Lead a strong safety culture and ensure the plant operates in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

· Develop, implement, and enforce health and safety policies and protocols.

· Ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

· Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions to protect employees, equipment, and the business.

Continuous Improvement & Process Development

· Develop and maintain systems and processes that measure and improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and performance.

· Establish meaningful operational metrics, standards, and performance targets.

· Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve workflow, increase throughput, and optimize manufacturing processes.

· Implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with company goals and strategic priorities.

· Provide clear direction and maintain focus on measurable operational results.

Leadership & People Development

· Lead, coach, supervise, and develop plant employees and leadership team members.

· Set clear expectations, goals, and accountability standards.

· Monitor performance, provide feedback, and evaluate results in alignment with company values and policies.

· Foster a collaborative, respectful, people-first environment where employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and solve problems.

· Build teamwork and unity across the plant while effectively addressing conflict and supporting constructive communication.

· Lead by example and promote a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, and mutual respect.

Financial & Resource Management

· Prepare and manage the annual operating budget.

· Schedule expenditures, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions as needed.

· Allocate labor, materials, equipment, and other resources effectively.

· Maximize asset utilization and support operational decisions that improve overall plant performance.

· Balance cost control with safety, quality, customer service, and long-term business objectives.

Quality Management

· Maintain a strong commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction.

· Establish and enforce manufacturing and organizational standards.

· Develop and improve quality control processes to ensure products meet established quality and efficiency requirements.

· Work with production and engineering teams to identify and resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence.

Communication & Collaboration

· Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure plant operations align with company objectives and key performance indicators.

· Communicate operational performance, challenges, priorities, and improvement opportunities effectively.

· Coordinate with engineering, maintenance, quality, purchasing, shipping, and other functions as needed.

· Interface with vendors, contractors, and outside service providers when appropriate.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred.

· Proven experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or in a similar leadership role.

· Experience leading manufacturing operations in a rotational molding plastics environment or related manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.

· Experience with rotational molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, plastics manufacturing, or similar processes is a plus.

Knowledge & Skills

· Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, business management, budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation, and people management.

· Experience with safety, quality, productivity, inventory, demand planning, and operational performance metrics.

· Familiarity with manufacturing equipment and the technical aspects of plant operations.

· Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.

· Demonstrated ability to create accountability and lead by example.

· Proven ability to build, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.

· Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications are a plus.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

· Ability to work in a manufacturing environment that may include exposure to noise, dust, machinery, and varying temperatures.

· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform the physical activities required in a manufacturing facility.

· Ability to safely navigate and actively engage throughout the production environment.

Why Join MAKS Plastics?

At MAKS Plastics, we believe our people are one of our greatest strengths. We are committed to building a collaborative workplace where employees are valued, ideas are encouraged, and continuous improvement is part of how we operate.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the direction and performance of our manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead people, improve processes, develop operational capabilities, and help deliver high-quality products to our customers.

BENEFITS:

· Competitive salary and benefits package

· Opportunities for professional growth and development

· Collaborative and innovative work environment

· Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

· Employer Contribution to Health Savings Account

· Matching Retirement Savings Plan