PLA

Plant Manager

PLA

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Montgomery • Illinois • United States

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Salary

💰 $100,000 - $110,000 per year

About the role

  • Lead the daily operations of a high-volume pallet sorting and repair facility supporting a major pallet pooling program.
  • Oversee receiving, sorting, repair, loading, and outbound shipments while ensuring production, safety, and quality standards are consistently met.
  • Manage labor and production schedules to meet operational volume, turnaround time, and on-time delivery goals.
  • Monitor key performance indicators such as productivity, throughput, downtime, scrap, and service levels while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
  • Promote and enforce a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, PPE requirements, and facility housekeeping standards.
  • Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, and incident investigations to support a safe working environment.
  • Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and hourly associates while building a culture of accountability, teamwork, and strong communication.
  • Support hiring, onboarding, and performance management while keeping the team aligned with production goals and operational expectations.
  • Ensure pallets are inspected, repaired, and sorted according to PECO and company quality standards while maintaining audit readiness.
  • Address service or quality concerns quickly and implement root-cause solutions to prevent recurring issues.
  • Manage operational costs including labor, repair materials, supplies, and equipment while improving productivity and reducing waste or rework.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives such as workflow optimization, 5S, and other operational efficiency practices.
  • Oversee maintenance of pallet repair equipment, forklifts, and facility infrastructure to ensure preventive maintenance is completed and production downtime is minimized.

Requirements

  • 3–5+ years of leadership experience in pallet operations, lumber, warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, or similar industrial environments.
  • Proven experience managing hourly teams in a production or operations setting.
  • Strong knowledge of safety practices within warehouse or industrial operations.
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve operational goals related to productivity, quality, and cost performance.
  • Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency with basic computer systems including email, spreadsheets, and production or inventory systems.
  • Prior experience working in pallet repair, pallet pooling programs (PECO, CHEP), or wood products operations (preferred).
  • Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, 5S, or other continuous improvement practices (preferred).
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus (preferred).
Benefits
  • Daily Pay Option – Access your earnings before payday
  • Bi-Weekly Pay – Get paid on time, every week
  • PTO (Paid Time Off) - unlimited plan
  • Full Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – 3 medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield with low weekly premiums starting at $28.75
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) – Company contribution up to $750 annually with tax-advantaged savings
  • 401(k) retirement plan featuring up to a 4% employer match, eligibility the first of the month after 90 days, and access to a Financial Wellness Consultant.
  • Flexible Benefits – Multiple plan options to fit your needs and budget
  • Prescription Drug Coverage – Low copays starting at $10 for generic medications
  • FREE Life Insurance & AD&D – Basic coverage provided at no cost upon employment
  • Vision Benefits – $10 eye exams and $150 frame allowance through Superior Vision by MetLife starting at $1.46 per week
  • Dental Coverage – 100% preventive care coverage with MetLife plans starting at $5.76 per week
  • Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD) – Income replacement up to 60% of weekly covered earnings (max $1,500 weekly) for a non-work-related injury or illness.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free and confidential support for work stress, grief, legal/financial issues, and more.
  • Additional Voluntary Benefits – MetLife Legal and Identity Theft Services and Pet Insurance with ASPCA.
  • LifeMart employee discounts (through ADP) on everyday stuff and larger purchases (travel, electronics, entertainment, and more)
  • Dell Employee Purchase Program (EPP) discounts available for personal use.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
pallet operationspallet repairLean manufacturing5Sproduction managementinventory managementsafety compliancequality assurancecost managementperformance management
Soft Skills
leadershipdecision-makingproblem-solvingcommunicationteamworkaccountabilitytime managementcoachingorganizational skillsadaptability
Certifications
OSHA compliance certification