Herff Jones hiring Plant Manager in Indianapolis, IN | LinkedIn (2024)

Position Title: Plant Manager

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Starting Pay for position: $100K

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES – HERFF JONESHerff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas, frames, announcements, and Greek accessories as well as motivation and recognition programs. Since 1920, our team has worked alongside students, faculty, and staff on campuses nationwide to help build a stronger community and celebrate student milestones. Our continued success relies on hiring extraordinary talent, with a passion for making a difference and eagerness to roll up the sleeves, to help us write the story of our next 100 years.

As the Plant Manager you will function as the key operations leader in the Fine Paper & Diploma production facilities. Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the successful candidate will be accountable for all aspects of Fine Paper and Diploma Operations, Distribution, and Supply Chain performance. The position will be responsible for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC) metrics. Key responsibilities will include the development of the organization to meet key deliverables, participate in development of strategic plans, and the execution of strategic initiatives. The plant manager will also be responsible for building a culture focused on high performance teamwork, collaboration, and accountability. Active engagement and partnership with Sales & Marketing is required. We are looking for someone well versed on both the planning end of manufacturing and distribution (supplier, materials, capacity, production, and distribution), as well as the operational execution of the facilities stated goals and targets.

What We Want You To Accomplish

• Development of a high-performance team culture with collective accountability and high levels of engagement
• Ensure that “how” the work gets done is just as, if not more so, important as “what” work gets done. Integrity and character of leadership will be paramount in this role.
• Delivery of the core SQDIC metrics across the full fiscal and school years to ensure we are enabling our Sales and Marketing teams to grow the business through additional penetration and market share gains.
• Ensure customer facing KPIs (Key performance indicators) and Customer/Sales Partner feedback are incorporated into the operation to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Responsible for effective Environmental, Health, and Safety behavioral and technical programming and maintaining compliance.
• Lead execution against P&L/annual budget and be able to continuously learn how to better optimize financial performance.
• Ensure appropriate processes, systems, and controls are utilized to enable sustainable operations and financial results.
• Support the development of the most effective Operation, Supply Chain, and Distribution approaches to serve our customers and achieve financial objectives.
• Create and develop a culture of Respect and continuous improvement. This position will be the senior site leader and must be a role model for leadership, values, and behaviors.
• Support and lead teams – People and Team development are essential aspects of this leadership role – Recruitment, Development, and Sustaining Operations by supporting individual development and team performance, supporting annual development plans.

Core Activities

• Lead and develop a high performing team culture through various leadership frameworks, development opportunities, etc.
• Utilize reporting functionality (Excel, Power BI) to analyze and improve the business. Advise Executive Leadership Team in any risks. Develop mitigation plans as required.
• Drive weekly operations meetings, monthly S&OP meetings, and monthly operating review meetings.
• Speak and interact with sales representatives and customers (school personnel and bookstore managers) on a case-by-case basis.
• Lead manufacturing activities for maximum efficiency anticipating the optimal amount of fine paper and diploma products needed to successfully complete manufacturing/sales for the year.
• Lead warehouse activities which include the cleaning and restocking of fine paper (announcements, accessories, etc.), diploma, and other award products
• Lead the development and recommendations for improvements of plant equipment, and procedures to improve SQDIC
• Participate, Develop, and Adapt Daily Management (GEMBA) activities to ensure successful KPI delivery through direct reports.
• Responsible for Fine Paper and Diploma’s Quality and Safety Management systems.
• Partner with the Plant Controller and Plant HR Manager to facilitate open communication and transparency in decision making.
• Partner with management team to establish production and quality control standards and systems, develop budget and cost controls, and to obtain data regarding types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates of products ordered.
• Partner with Corporate EHS manager to maintain and continuously improve the safety management system.
• Support the development of strategic objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Act as liaison between senior management and supervisors to keep employees informed of matters of communications, decisions and policies.

Education / Certifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, operations management, or business-related field or equivalent experience
• MBA Preferred
• Six Sigma Green Belt strongly preferred.
• Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
• Lean knowledge and certifications preferred.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM ON THE FIELD IN SPORT, SPIRIT & ACHIEVEMENT About Herff JonesIndianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, diplomas and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 1,400 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones, please visit www.herffjones.com. Herff Jones, Inc. and its affiliates are equal opportunity employers and maintain affirmative action plans to recruit, retain, develop, and promote qualified individuals without unlawful consideration of race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Herff Jones strives to maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, where associates are treated with respect and dignity. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Herff Jones. Herff Jones will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.