Plant Manager - Otsego Paper Plant

USG is an industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions. For more than 115 years, Chicago-based USG has developed award-winning wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products that enable customers to build the outstanding spaces where people live, work and play. With almost 7,000 employees across North America and operations around the world, we are steadfastly committed to our core values: safety, innovation, quality, integrity, service, diversity and efficiency.

Our employees are the backbone that supports our organization. That’s why we hire people for careers, not jobs. We offer benefits on Day 1, including medical and dental, paid sick days, and paid vacation and holidays. Plus, providing competitive pay and separate investment and retirement plans help secure our employees’ futures. Each year, we have hundreds of employees who celebrate milestone anniversaries with us – find out how you can join our team and build your career with USG: http://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/about-usg/careers.html.

Job Description

Safely operates the manufacturing facility in support of all company objectives and policies, producing products at lowest attainable cost, with high product quality and customer service standards. The Otsego Plant currently has 140 employees, and the Plant Manager role will have five direct reports. Some travel may be required.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, plan, and manage all aspects of a paper production facility with an annual capacity of 13.3 BSF or 320,000 tons, which includes production, reliability, engineering, office, and supply chain departments. Also accountable for the safe and efficient operation of the truck and rail loading departments as well as wastepaper receiving operation. Enable the plant to safely and profitably operate in accordance with plant goals, corporate goals, and regulatory requirements.

• Enable a participative, highly engaged workforce culture with emphasis on developing people for higher levels of responsibility and accountability. This includes responsibility for training and motivating all employees to ensure an efficient operation consistent with overall company safety objectives. Also ensures development of succession and professional development plans of employees to keep plant moving forward.

• Drive continuous improvement using tools such as Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, RPM, visual work and 5S.

• Formulate short- and long-term operating goals for cost reduction, capital/facility planning, quality/service, new product, and workforce development.

• Develop plans and countermeasures to ensure that all financial goals are met or exceeded.

• Interacts frequently and effectively with corporate manufacturing, engineering, technical services, research, and other customers to determine product specifications and to maximize product reliability and acceptance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required:

• Strong technical aptitude

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage employees in a participative, high employee engagement culture

• Broad knowledge of continuous improvement processes. Demonstrated experience in implementing LSS, RPM, 5S, SMED and visual work methods.

• Strong leadership, management and communications skills and success at managing an hour workforce, creating accountability, and developing people.

• Ability to achieve results collaborating with key stakeholders from the plant, shared services, and other corporate functions.

• Demonstrated ability to operate within a planned budget and manage costs within established goals.

  
  

Preferred:

• Prior experience as a USG Plant Manager, Paper Industry Manufacturing Plant Manager or General Manager, is strongly preferred. Equivalent industry experience within the Paper Science or Manufacturing industry will be considered.

• Knowledge of USG’s safety culture or strong experience in leading manufacturing operations safety performance.

• Excellent critical thinking skills with the ability to identify key issues and provide appropriate proactive response. Strategic thinker with a clear vision of what needs to be accomplished and how to attain it.

Physical Demands and Other Requirements

• None

  
  

Education and Related Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with a strong preference towards Paper Science / Manufacturing.

  
  

Years of Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience leading a large team or similar sized manufacturing facility

  
  

EOE including disability/veteran