Plant Operations Manager Job Description Example, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the plant operations manager job description, including key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that employers/recruiters usually expect candidates to meet to be hired for the plant operations manager role.

What Does a Plant Operations Manager Do?

Plant operations managers direct and supervise the day-to-day production operations of a manufacturing plant.

The plant operations manager job description involves overseeing the activities of production personnel to ensure efficient and safe work operations.

Plant managers in performing their duties develop and implement action plans for achieving production targets.

They oversee the hiring and training of operations staff to ensure an efficient workforce.

They also delegate and assign work tasks to employees to maintain optimum plant operations.

As part of their responsibilities, operations managers conduct assessment of plant operational procedures to identify areas of inefficiency and initiate action plan for improvement.

They inspect and monitor production equipment to ensure they are operational and in good working order for product manufacture.

They also facilitate scheduled equipment maintenance as well as repair/replacement of damaged machinery.

The role of plant managers also entails monitoring the activities of production staff to ensure compliance with set health/safety regulations and procedures.

They maintain a cost-effective production process by using only required amount of resources to achieve production target.

They also liaise with the quality control department of an organization to make sure products meet set production specifications.

Their work description also involves allocating and managing of resources in order to achieve optimal standards, performance and productivity in a plant.

As part of their duties, operations managers address and respond to staff issues or complaints to ensure a calm and focused workforce.

They develop and implement strategies to increase production output at minimal costs.

Overseeing the distribution of manufactured goods to ensure timely and effective delivery to clients is also part of the plant operations manager description.

They also isolate waste and other constraints that limit productivity.

To work as a plant operations manager requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, industrial engineering, or industrial management, or in any other similar course.

The qualities you need to succeed as an operations manager of a plant include time management, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Plant Operations Manager Job Description Example/Template

The various major functions performed by plant operations managers are captured in the job description example below:

• Manage operations budget to ensure minimal production cost and optimal product quality
• Review production processes and procedure to ensure they operate at highest possible efficiency
• Collaborate with health/safety managers to develop and implement safety policies for general plant operations
• Oversee the hiring and training of operations personnel to ensure a capable workforce
• Carry out research to discover ways of improving on existing operational processes
• Liaise with purchasing managers to develop and improve supplier relationship
• Conduct employee performance appraisals to identify areas of limitation in order to provide coaching and guidance
• Delegate and assign work tasks to production staff to achieve set manufacturing targets
• Optimize production process by eliminating wastes and other constraints to improve work efficiency
• Oversee the long term planning and initiatives geared towards enhanced operations
• Prepare and submit to upper management regular reports of plant operations
• Maintain positive trust relationship with suppliers to ensure constant flow of required raw materials
• Ensure timely and effective delivery of goods to clients
• Maintain accurate inventory and ensure proper storage of received raw materials
• Utilize cost-benefit analytical techniques in improving operational efficiency.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Plant Operations Manager Role

Are you looking to work as a plant operations manager? If you are, then here are the major requirements most employers will want you to satisfy:

• Education and Training: To become a plant operations manager, you require a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, industrial engineering, industrial management, or in a related discipline. Some employers may require plant operations managers to possess Master’s degree in business administration or finance. Plant workers can advance to the plant operations manager position by taking management classes. Having relevant operations certification is an added advantage for the position
• Time management Skill: Plant operations managers are able to properly manage their time to meet production and delivery deadlines
• Leadership Skill: They are able to direct and motivate company staff to effectively perform job duties
• Problem-solving Skill: They are proffer solutions to defects or limitations in production.

Conclusion

As an employer needing to hire a good operations manager for your plant, the sample job description provided in this post can serve as a template that you can apply in making a work description that attracts the best candidates to your vacant job announcement.

Also, if you are a job seeker interested in working as a plant operations manager, you will find the information about the role given in this article useful in knowing what to expect on the job if hired.