ASSISTANT PLANT MANGER
Succession Track to Plant Manager
If you’re ready to lead, learn, and grow into a Plant Manager role, we want to hear from you.
Akron, OH
$80,000–$95,000
Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader ready to take the next step in your career? This is a career-path opportunity for someone who wants to grow into a Plant Manager role while making an immediate impact on day-to-day operations.
We’re looking for a driven Assistant Plant Manager with leadership experience in manufacturing—ideally within steel or aluminum processing or assembly—who thrives on the floor, leads by example, and knows how to keep production moving efficiently and safely.
What You’ll Do
As the Assistant Plant Manager, you’ll partner closely with the Plant Manager to keep operations running smoothly, efficiently, and safely. You’ll oversee supervisors and team leads, anticipate operational needs, and help drive continuous improvement across the facility.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Support strong shift start-ups, scheduling, staffing, and material setup to minimize downtime
- Drive production efficiency and meet output goals
- Apply strong mechanical aptitude to identify issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and understand equipment operation
- Partner with Quality Control to enforce and maintain product quality standards (QFS)
- Lead preventative maintenance efforts and respond to equipment breakdowns
- Enforce and promote plant safety programs and safe work practices
- Identify, communicate, and implement process improvement opportunities
- Coordinate with internal teams including production, maintenance, QC, purchasing, and sales
- Keep the Plant Manager informed on workload, schedules, challenges, and special projects
- Foster a culture of fairness, trust, safety, and quality
Leadership & Team Responsibilities
- Ensure equipment is operating properly and employees are working safely
- Act as the communication bridge between the Plant Manager, Supervisors, and Team Leads
- Handle employee relations with professionalism, confidentiality, and fairness
- Proactively identify outstanding tasks and coordinate execution with leadership teams
What We’re Looking For
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with plant, office, and management teams
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Bilingual in English & Spanish (required)
- Degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Engineering preferred
- Strong computer skills including MS Office, AutoCAD, and AI tools
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality processes
- Ability to prioritize, multitask, and manage competing demands
- Adaptable, flexible, and comfortable in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Self-driven with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement
- High attention to detail with a strong focus on quality and accountability
Why This Role?
- Clear path to Plant Manager
- High-impact leadership role
- Hands-on environment where your decisions matter
- Stable manufacturing operation with growth opportunity
Skills Required
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Leadership experience in manufacturing (overseeing supervisors and team leads)
- Strong computer skills including MS Office, AutoCAD, and AI tools
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality processes
- Mechanical aptitude, basic troubleshooting, and equipment operation knowledge
- Experience driving production efficiency and meeting output goals
- Ability to lead preventative maintenance and respond to equipment breakdowns
- Enforce and promote plant safety programs and safe work practices
- Proven ability to collaborate with plant, office, and management teams
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to prioritize, multitask, and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment
- Degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Engineering
- Experience in steel or aluminum processing or assembly
What We Do
Professional Placement Services is an Ohio-based recruiting and staffing firm focused on manufacturing and other industries. It provides project-based staffing, contract-to-hire, and direct-placement services, helping employers fill critical roles with qualified candidates. The company emphasizes personalized talent management, ethical service, and supplying quality individuals rather than simply large volumes of temporary workers, while building long-term relationships with both clients and professionals.
