Job Title: Plant Superintendent
Experience Level: Mid-Senior
Location: Defiance, Ohio (On-site)
Industry: Building Materials / Manufacturing
Compensation: $111,000 - $153,000
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Minimal (0–10 days/year)
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Relocation Assistance: Possible for ideal candidate
Interview Travel: Reimbursed
Total Openings: 1
Position Overview
The Plant Superintendent provides leadership and operational oversight for the largest department within a major manufacturing plant. This position is responsible for managing safety, quality, production, maintenance, warehouse functions, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role will lead a team of over 150 hourly and 6 salaried employees, with a focus on cost reduction, team development, and process efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Ensure a safe working environment and maintain compliance with environmental and safety regulations
Manage overall operations to maintain workflow, production schedules, inventory levels, and product quality
Lead production planning and scheduling in coordination with Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Maintenance teams
Develop and implement budgets, productivity goals, and quality improvement initiatives
Provide leadership to production supervisors, engineers, and maintenance personnel
Guide the coaching and development of engineers and operations staff
Participate in performance evaluations, staffing decisions, and employee development
Act as a key liaison between plant departments to ensure coordination and alignment
Serve as Acting Plant Manager when necessary
Contribute to strategic planning and long-term operational goals
Work cross-functionally with maintenance and engineering on troubleshooting and preventative maintenance
Preferred Background
Bachelor's degree (preferably in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or Ceramic Engineering); Business backgrounds with strong technical proficiency will also be considered
Minimum 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
Experience managing large teams (150+ employees) in a unionized environment (UAW and/or USW)
Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement using Lean or Six Sigma principles
Strong technical problem-solving skills, especially with complex mechanical systems (motors, crank drives, AC&R systems)
Familiarity with glass manufacturing processes such as batching, melting, furnace operations, and pipe production
ERP experience required; SAP preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
Department Overview
Oversight of Pipe Production Department, the plant’s largest unit
10 production lines, 156 employees
Direct reports include 4 Production Supervisors and 2 full-time Engineers
Project Engineer and Maintenance Supervisor report via dotted line
Close collaboration with maintenance and engineering units is essential
Ideal Candidate Attributes
Grew from Process Engineer into a supervisory or leadership position
Experienced in breakdown analysis, preventative actions, and hands-on floor operations
Strong in coaching, guiding, and holding teams accountable
Skilled in navigating the union environment and grievance process
Physical & Work Environment
Typical manufacturing environment: exposure to heat, cold, noise, heights, dust, fumes, and moving equipment
Frequent walking, climbing, and occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs)
Must be physically capable of performing essential duties (reasonable accommodations available)