Plant manager - manufacturing operations

Position: Plant Manager - Automated Manufacturing Operations
Salary: $135,000 – $140,000 USD + performance incentives
Location: Rockford Area (Belvidere, IL)
Travel: Extensive travel required during the first year

Are you a proven leader in automated manufacturing and maintenance? This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of daily operations at a large-scale automated distribution center, driving performance, accountability, and safety across multi-shift teams in a fast-paced, start-up environment. This role is based in Belvidere, IL, approximately 15 minutes from Rockford. Candidates in the Rockford area and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply!

The Role

As Site Manager, you will:

• Lead cross-functional teams in production, maintenance, HR, and IT with a strong focus on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Oversee 90 employees (including supervisors, team leaders, and technical specialists) across multiple shifts, ensuring clear direction and measurable results.
• Set operational goals, implement best practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, responsiveness, and follow-through.
• Manage budgets, inventory control, and support capital projects while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring customer needs are met and value is consistently delivered.
• Drive employee engagement through coaching, training, and the development of high-performing teams.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, or equivalent).
• 5+ years of site management or maintenance leadership experience in automated or highly industrialized environments.
• Proven success in fast-paced, high-pressure operations with the ability to hold teams accountable.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance principles, quality systems, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in unionized and non-unionized environments.
• Financial acumen, with experience in budgeting and capital project management (asset).
• Excellent communication and team-building skills; French language ability is a plus.
• Prior exposure to manufacturing start-ups or large-scale automation is highly valued.
• Strong experience with production KPIs and driving results.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing operations across both production and maintenance.

Travel & Schedule

• First 6 months: 3 weeks in Canada (Ontario or Vancouver) + 1 week off.
• Following 2 months: 3 weeks at one of their US sites + 1 week off.
• After start-up: Full-time, based at the Illinois site.
• Day shift leadership role, with flexibility as required during start-up.

Why Join?

This role offers a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive benefits. It’s also a chance to take a leadership role in an automation start-up project, shape culture from the ground up, and make a measurable impact on the success of a world-class distribution facility.

Please send your resume in Word format to Cynthia Gray at [email protected]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $135,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person