Plant Manager

Welcome. We’re glad you’re here. And we’re not just saying that. We’re glad we’re here too. We are proud of this company and take great pleasure in introducing you to the Watson difference. 

We are builders. 

For more than 60 years we have designed and built workspaces for some of the most dynamic and innovative companies. Our designs are functional, refined, and manufactured with respect for our people and the environment. We are proud to source the best talent and materials at our manufacturing facility in Poulsbo, WA. 

This role is where everything comes together. 

We’re looking for a Plant Manager who leads with purpose, builds great teams, and runs a factory floor people are proud to work on. This role owns the Production System, the final and most visible link in Watson’s Operations model, where strategy, engineering, supply chain, and craftsmanship all meet the customer. 

Your primary metric is on time performance. That’s the number that tells us whether the factory met customer demand. But how you lead the team to on time performance matters just as much. Watson’s operating model is built on servant leadership, continuous improvement, and the belief that the people doing the work are the ones who know how to improve it. This role lives those principles every day. 

Your direct team includes Value Stream Managers and  the Maintenance/Facilities Manager. The Value Stream Managers are your boots on the ground: the leaders who translate the operating model into daily flow, problem-solving, and results on the floor. The Maintenance / Facilities Manager keeps the equipment and building running, which means uptime and reliability sit squarely in your world too. 

You don’t have to be the expert in every system. The Manufacturing System team (process engineers, programmers, and continuous improvement specialists) own the deep technical capability and serve as the primary coaches on the floor. Your job is to run reliable daily operations, develop your people, create the conditions where improvement can happen, and hold the line on safety and quality. 

You know how to keep a factory on time without burning people out. You know the difference between managing a schedule and leading a team. And you understand that trust is built through consistency, follow-through, and showing up the same way every day: with your direct reports, with the floor, and with the peers who depend on production. 

Welcome to The Orchard 

This role is on-site at The Orchard, our Pacific Northwest workplace in Poulsbo, Washington. 

The Orchard is more than a campus. It’s a living reflection of who we are. Surrounded by towering Douglas firs, winding walking trails, and mountain views, it’s a place designed to support both focus and connection. It’s also where you’ll find dogs padding through the hallways, teammates gathering for tabletop games and monthly BBQs, and conversations that turn into real, meaningful change. 

We believe in investing in growth, yours and ours. At Watson, you’ll find learning and development opportunities that help you stretch your skills, explore new ideas, and turn curiosity into capability. 

What you’ll do 

Lead the Production System 

• Own daily manufacturing operations across a multi-shift facility: safety, quality, throughput, and on-time shipment 

• Drive on time performance as the primary measure of execution reliability and customer delivery  

• Lead and develop Value Stream Managers as the frontline leaders who translate the operating model into daily results  

• Lead and develop the Maintenance and Facilities Manager to ensure equipment uptime, reliability, and a safe, well-maintained facility; treat maintenance as a production discipline, not a reactive afterthought 

• Partner with the Supply Chain team to ensure materials are available and production schedules are stable and executable 

• Use ERP data to track schedule performance, identify constraints, and surface problems early 

• Partner with inside sales as the voice of production giving insight to customer order status 

Partner with the Manufacturing System Team 

The Manufacturing System team is responsible for process design, standard work, automation, and continuous improvement capability. This team serves as the primary technical coaches on the floor. The Plant Manager’s role is to create the conditions where that expertise can take root. 

• Create a culture of daily improvement where every team member feels responsible for making the work better, not just getting through the shift 

• Support structured problem-solving by engaging your team in root cause investigations and corrective action, with coaching from Manufacturing Systems where needed 

• Ensure standard work is followed and give the Manufacturing System team the access and stability they need to support improvement work 

• Bring operational problems to the surface and solve them at the source, with the people closest to the work 

• Maintain visibility into production data and performance metrics so improvement efforts are grounded in facts, not assumptions 

Develop Your People 

• Lead a direct team that includes Value Stream Managers and the Maintenance/ Facilities Manager (5 reports and 100 indirect reports) 

• Invest and support the Value Stream Managers; they are the operational backbone of the floor, and their development is a direct reflection of your leadership 

• Invent and support the Maintenance and Facilities Manager who is accountable for uptime, preventive maintenance, and a facility that supports safe, efficient production 

• Build trust with your team through consistent decisions, clear expectations, visible follow-through, servant leadership, and psychological safety. Not just authority. 

• Recruit, onboard, and retain production talent in a culture where showing up and doing good work is recognized and rewarded 

• Ensure every employee understands and lives Watson’s safety standards, not because they have to, but because it’s the right thing to do 

What you’ll need to know 

• 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience in a production or manufacturing environment 

• How to run a multi-shift operation safely, on time, and within budget 

• How to lead people through change, not just announce it 

• How to read and act on operational data without losing sight of the people behind the numbers 

• Lean manufacturing principles, including standard work, visual management, root cause analysis, and daily continuous improvement. You don’t need to be the expert, but you need to believe in it and know enough to champion it 

• How to work effectively within a systems-based operating model where your success depends on strong relationships with Supply Chain, Manufacturing Systems, and Engineering 

• How to use an ERP system and standard production reporting tools to manage schedules and performance 

Who you are 

• Someone who earns the respect of the people doing the work, not just the people in the meeting 

• Someone who understands that trust is built through cadence, clarity, and follow-through. And that it takes longer to rebuild than it does to lose 

• Someone with a bias for action who builds a system where problem-solving and root cause analysis are the norm 

• Someone who holds high standards without making people feel small 

• Someone who sees themselves as a system builder, not just a problem solver 

• Someone who knows that a well-maintained facility is a well-run factory, and treats uptime and reliability as leadership responsibilities rather than maintenance department problems 

• Someone who is energized by daily improvement, not worn down by it 

• Someone who collaborates naturally with peers in Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Systems, because they understand they’re all running different parts of the same machine 

• Someone who leaves things better than they found them 

Wage and Compensation 

This role can expect to earn $125,000 – $160,000 in annual compensation. 

Essential Attributes of Watson Employees 

• Insane curiosity 

• Excited and enthusiastic about your work 

• Embrace and exhibit our values 

Our Culture 

• Monthly BBQ 

• Espresso Bar 

• Annual Bravo Night 

• Onsite gym and showers 

• Campus walking trail 

• Fun, challenging, and engaging culture 

• Pride and satisfaction of manufacturing tangible products 

Our Benefits 

• Competitive wages 

• 401(k) plan with matching contribution 

• Profit sharing program 

• Extensive healthcare plans 

• Unlimited PTO (salaried employees) 

Why Watson? 

Everything we do is rooted in soulful design and a deep respect for how things are made. At Watson, operations isn’t a back-office function. It’s where the promise gets kept. 

There’s dignity in working with your hands, and we honor the commitment our people bring to their craft. The Plant Manager is the person who makes sure that commitment shows up in every product that leaves this building. 

If you take pride in doing things right and want to build something that lasts, you’ll fit right in. 

Watson is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals, including minorities, women, veterans & individuals with disabilities. Watson will consider qualified applicants for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state, and local ordinances.