Plant Manager

Plant Manager $90-125k/year plus bonus Wichita, KS Position Summary The Plant Manager will be responsible for all day-to-day manufacturing operations at the Wichita facility, with a clear focus on safety, quality, efficiency, profitability, and on-time delivery. This role leads production, maintenance, and materials management while driving continuous improvement and Lean practices. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can build a culture, develop people, optimize processes, and maintain disciplined operational systems—all in support of our mission to provide quality, affordable housing. Key Responsibilities 1. Operations & Production Management Direct and coordinate daily manufacturing activities, including production, maintenance, and material management. Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve production targets and consistently meet customer demand. Optimize plant capacity and resource allocation to maximize efficiency and profitability. Help maintain standardized costing models and adjust them as real costs become known and normalized, ensuring accurate production economics. Stay aware of anticipated demand levels and make staffing adjustments to optimize labor productivity and efficiency. Remain aligned with budget and forecast expectations, continually striving to achieve targeted profitability and financial outcomes. Analyze operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions. Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to reduce waste, increase throughput, and improve workflow. Develop flexible systems and processes that adapt to periodic changes between product lines and customer demand, including production scheduling and staffing. Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. 2. Team Leadership & Development Lead, train, and manage direct reports such as supervisors, production leads, and production staff. Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback. Foster a positive, safe, and collaborative work environment that promotes high morale, accountability, and engagement. Address and resolve employee issues and grievances fairly and consistently. Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Administrative Officer to: Assess talent and staffing needs Develop training programs and support career paths Enable employee growth and contribution to the mission of providing quality, affordable housing 3. Maintenance, Equipment & Inventory Oversee plant maintenance, including preventive maintenance programs that minimize unplanned downtime. Ensure equipment reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance. Manage raw material and finished goods inventory to support production schedules and shipping requirements. Collaborate with supply chain and procurement teams on material planning, purchasing, and supplier performance. Maintain inventory systems that are current, accurate, well-controlled, and actively useful in managing and improving the business. Support accurate inventory records, cycle counts, and material-usage reporting. 4. Quality, Safety & Culture Champion a safety-first culture and ensure adherence to safety procedures and standards. Ensure that PCH homes are built to exacting quality standards that meet or exceed traditional home construction and PCH's structural/weather-resistance expectations. Promote a culture of problem solving, ownership, teamwork, and respect across the plant. Lead and participate in cross-functional initiatives to reduce defects, enhance processes, and improve customer satisfaction. Work closely with the Field Operations Manager to create a seamless and exciting customer experience—recognizing that building a new home is one of the most meaningful moments in a family's life. Embrace our role as a trusted partner and help deliver an experience that exceeds expectations while fully recovering costs and achieving appropriate returns. Qualifications Required Proven experience in a manufacturing leadership role (Plant Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager, or similar). Strong background in production planning, scheduling, and resource management. Demonstrated success leading Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. Solid understanding of maintenance management, inventory control, and material flow. Strong analytical skills with experience using KPIs and data to drive decisions. Effective communicator who collaborates well across departments and all organizational levels. Demonstrated success in building and leading teams in fast-paced environments. Preferred Experience in modular home manufacturing, construction-related manufacturing, or building products. Familiarity with quality systems and safety programs. Experience in a start-up or new-facility launch environment.