Plant Manager
Location: Phoenix, AZ (On-Site)
Industry: Contract Manufacturing (Regulated Consumer Goods)
About the Company
A respected contract manufacturing company based in the greater Phoenix area is searching for an experienced Plant Operations Leader to drive operational performance and lead a lean, hands-on team. Known for its integrity, scientific precision, and commitment to quality, this organization serves global clients across personal care, nutraceutical, OTC, and specialty product lines. With significant production capacity and strict regulatory compliance, they are poised for scale and innovation.
Position Summary
This role offers a unique opportunity to take full ownership of day-to-day plant operations. The Plant Manager will oversee production scheduling, quality assurance, inventory management, and regulatory compliance. They will be empowered to build systems, establish SOPs, and create structure for a team that currently operates in a high-urgency, low-structure environment. This person must be decisive, results-driven, and thrive in a growing small business setting where leadership visibility and impact are immediate.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise a team of production operators (currently ~7), with the autonomy to restructure, hire, train, and implement performance management strategies.
- Drive cultural transformation through accountability, punctuality, and reliability.
- Implement structure and expectations where there has historically been limited oversight.
- Coordinate daily and weekly production and packaging workflows to meet customer demand.
- Balance efficiency with uncompromising quality standards using data-driven decision-making.
- Develop and enforce daily operations checklists, logs, and planning systems.
- Maintain full compliance with cGMP, FDA, OSHA, EPA, and DSHEA regulations.
- Implement SOPs and ensure adherence across departments.
- Resolve fire safety compliance issues including the proper segregation and handling of flammables and hazardous materials.
- Build a formal QA process in collaboration with leadership. Review batch records, product traceability, and lab results to ensure product integrity.
- Oversee inventory management of raw materials and finished goods, including receiving, shipping, lot tracking, and packaging compliance. Ensure proper storage of materials to meet safety and regulatory guidelines.
- Engage directly in production operations as needed.
- Troubleshoot process bottlenecks and equipment issues (no mechanical repair required).
- Apply basic chemistry and math for weighing, compounding, and conversions.
Qualifications
Required:
- Proven leadership in a manufacturing or production environment, ideally with 5+ years in plant or operations management.
- Strong command of cGMP, FDA, and OSHA requirements.
- Hands-on, Type A leadership style with a bias for action, structure, and accountability.
- Demonstrated ability to hire, coach, and lead change within teams.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work across technical and non-technical teams.
- Physically able to work on the production floor and lift 50 lbs regularly.
Preferred:
- Industry experience in nutraceuticals, personal care, OTC, cosmetics, pharma, or food/beverage.
- Experience implementing SOPs, QA systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Background managing safety protocols and audits related to hazardous materials.
About Blue Signal:
As an award-winning executive search firm, Blue Signal has a strong track record of placing top talent in the manufacturing & industrial space, with expertise in manufacturing leadership, engineering, supply chain, and logistics roles. Leare more at bit.ly/3D3a7NH