Assistant Plant Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $90,000-$109,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Under limited supervision, the Assistant Plant Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and productive daily operations of the facility. This role ensures operational continuity and supports company production targets by actively managing personnel, processes, maintenance, and quality systems. The Assistant Plant Manager drives performance by leading a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. A critical focus is placed on minimizing downtime, exceeding production goals, and scheduling proactive maintenance to ensure the plant remains 100% operational during scheduled run times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure all employees follow proper safety procedures and use appropriate PPE.
• Promotes a safety-first culture through training, audits, and behavior-based programs.
• Supports compliance with all federal, state, and company-specific environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Production & Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day plant operations to ensure production goals and quality standards are consistently met or exceeded.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager to establish and track KPIs related to throughput, quality, downtime, and labor efficiency.
• Adjust production schedules and staffing as needed to meet changing demands.
• Ensures plant operations align with budgetary expectations; communicates both achievements and challenges promptly.

Maintenance Planning and Downtime Prevention

• Works closely with maintenance leadership to schedule preventive maintenance and repairs without disrupting production.
• Monitors plant equipment performance and lead root-cause investigations for downtime or mechanical failure.
• Establishes a culture of reliability and uptime through proactive asset management and maintenance planning.

Leadership and Team Development

• Supervises, trains, and mentor operations staff, including leads, operators, and technicians.
• Partners with HR and management in hiring, onboarding, corrective actions, and performance reviews.
• Build leadership capabilities within the team, emphasizing communication, accountability, and operational ownership.

Communication & Reporting

• Maintain open and effective communication with the General Manager, senior leaders, and cross-functional departments.
• Prepare and deliver regular performance updates, KPI dashboards, and strategic input for operations planning.
• Attend and contribute to production, planning, and safety meetings.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive operational excellence by identifying and implementing improvements to processes, systems, and personnel deployment.
• Participate in capital project planning and execution as needed.
• Lead or support plant initiatives related to Lean, 5S, and other continuous improvement methodologies.

Other Duties

• Perform other tasks assigned to support the mission and operations of the plant.
• Demonstrate flexibility in shift coverage and after-hours support as operationally required.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelors degree in business, Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic understanding of plant equipment and industrial systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word, Teams); experience with CMMS or production planning software a plus.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Must be self-directed, capable of multitasking, and comfortable making decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Possession of a valid drivers license

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years of supervisory/management experience in bulk material processing (aggregate, mining, grain elevator operations, chemicals) or materials processing preferred.
• Proven track record of improving production performance, reducing downtime, and leading effective teams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to lift or carry up to 75 pounds.
• Regularly required to stand, climb stairs/ladders, reach, bend, and move about the facility.
• Frequent exposure to loud noise, dust, moving machinery, and varying outdoor weather conditions.
• Required PPE includes safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toe boots, hearing and respiratory protection when applicable.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

We are an equal opportunity employer; we are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. Dietzler is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. Dietzler is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.