Plant Manager

Our client is a rapidly expanding engineered-manufacturing company serving the data center infrastructure market. The organization is launching a new state-of-the-art 320,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Murray, Kentucky, which will begin operations within months. This plant has been designed with significant automation, robotics, and advanced material-handling technologies to support high throughput, precision, and scalable production.

To lead this high-tech, rapidly growing site, the company seeks an experienced Plant Manager with proven expertise in automated manufacturing environments. The ideal candidate has successfully led operations in facilities utilizing robotics, automated assembly lines, advanced inspection systems, or integrated digital manufacturing platforms.

This executive will drive plant readiness, operational excellence, workforce development, and continuous improvement as the facility ramps up to full capacity.

The Role

The Plant Manager will have full operational leadership for the automated Murray facility, covering production, robotics/automation oversight, quality, engineering support, maintenance, safety, material flow, and overall plant performance. This is a hands-on role ideal for a leader who understands how to integrate human labor with automated systems to achieve world-class throughput, safety, and consistency.

The facility will support two rapidly growing engineered product lines, requiring a leader who can scale operations, optimize automated processes, and ensure reliability across both manual and robotic workflows.

Key Leadership Mandates

1. Launch & Ramp-Up of an Automated Production Facility

• Lead the startup of a new 320,000 sq. ft. automated facility, including equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and workflow optimization.
• Partner with engineering, automation specialists, and equipment vendors to ensure smooth integration of robotics, automated handling systems, and production technologies.
• Develop training programs for operators, technicians, and supervisors to safely and effectively work alongside automation.
• Establish foundational systems in safety, quality, throughput, workforce planning, and operational discipline before production begins.

2. Operational Excellence in a High-Technology Environment

• Oversee daily operations across automated and semi-automated lines, ensuring uptime, efficiency, quality, and consistent output.
• Implement systems for monitoring OEE, cycle time, scrap, equipment uptime, and robotics performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance automation reliability and reduce manual touches.
• Drive manufacturing practices focused on precision, repeatability, and efficient automated flow between stations.

3. Maintenance, Reliability & Engineering Integration

• Build a strong maintenance and reliability program tailored to robotics, automation, and high-value equipment.
• Implement predictive and preventive maintenance systems using data-driven insights.
• Partner with engineering to improve manufacturability, address technical challenges, and optimize automated processes.
• Support equipment upgrades, automation enhancements, and capital planning for future expansions.

4. Workforce Leadership & Organizational Development

• Recruit, train, and develop a workforce capable of operating in a modern automated facility.
• Create clear competency models for automation technicians, operators, team leaders, and maintenance personnel.
• Foster a culture that embraces technology, continuous learning, safety, and accountability.
• Mentor plant leadership and develop successors for key technical and managerial roles.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with supply chain teams to ensure materials flow efficiently into automated systems.
• Partner with engineering to support product changes, new product introductions, and automation reconfiguration.
• Coordinate with finance on budgets, cost controls, capital expenditures, and labor forecasting.
• Collaborate with the executive team to align plant capabilities with commercial and operational strategy.

6. Systems, Data, & Plant Infrastructure

• Leverage ERP/MRP, MES, SCADA, or other digital systems to enhance visibility, reporting, and operational accuracy.
• Establish plant KPIs, dashboards, and management routines centered on real-time operational data.
• Implement standardized processes for scheduling, quality checks, automated workflows, and production documentation.
• Drive the adoption of digital tools that increase traceability, efficiency, and predictive insights.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 10–15+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for automated or robotics-enabled production facilities.
• Experience launching or scaling a new manufacturing plant—with automation implementation strongly preferred.
• Proven expertise managing robotics, automated lines, advanced material-handling equipment, and digitized production systems.
• Strong background in engineered-to-order or configure-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational system-building.
• Skilled in developing technical teams, including operators, automation technicians, engineers, and maintenance personnel.
• Effective communicator capable of driving clarity, alignment, and performance across shifts and departments.
• Experience in data center infrastructure, industrial systems, modular manufacturing, or electrical/mechanical assembly is a plus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $150,000.00 per year

Experience:

• manufacturing leadership : 10 years (Required)

Location:

• Murray, KY 42071 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Murray, KY 42071: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person