Production Manager - Fencing (Welded Wire)

If you're looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you've found it. Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent graduate, or somewhere in between, MAT Holdings is where you can apply your skills, learn new ones, and make a real impact.

With more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries and over 40 locations worldwide, MAT offers exciting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more. Headquartered in Long Grove, IL, our global footprint includes 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space and 40+ factories across three continents.

At MAT, we don’t just make things happen—we ensure it happens with excellence. From engineering and logistics to marketing and customer service, we maintain consistent expertise across the entire supply chain. Join us and be part of a team where your creativity and contributions help shape the future of global manufacturing.

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D, Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

The Plant Manager is responsible for keeping production on schedule and ensuring raw materials available for the manufacturing operation are efficiently converted into chain link fencing, horse & field fence, and barbed wire. The role requires a hands-on leader who works closely with production crews, solves problems quickly, and keeps operations running smoothly.  Collaborate with the site Operations Manager to ensure raw material storage, finished goods, and space constraints are transparent and within thresholds. Continuous communication with teams about quality metrics and integrating feedback into operational practices is essential for achieving ongoing improvements.

Principle Responsibilities

Operations

• Supervise daily production to meet order schedules, quality standards, and safety requirements
• Supervise on-site or remote hourly personnel to ensure appropriate staffing of the facility
• Work to drive a safety and quality-focused production business while driving operational excellence by maintaining high OEE
• Responsible for managing and leading the onsite functional teams of repairs and maintenance, tool and die, production, warehouse, quality, and other supporting personnel based in Gastonia, NC.
• Work side by side with operators to troubleshoot issues.
• Manage, report, document, and plan production performance, continuous improvement activities, action plans, strategic plans, and employee utilization
• Propose, justify, and implement capital expenditures for sustaining, growing, or improving our current operations at Gastonia, NC, and Riverside, CA, according to the submitted proposals
• Coordinate cross-training and knowledge sharing with the sister plant based in Vietnam.
• Work with the team to build solutions for operational-related challenges at the site
• Assist the VP/GM with special projects as assigned (e.g., M&A operation reviews, establishing new production lines)
• Supervise traffic personnel to ensure product ships on time in full (OTIF)
• Work with purchasing to ensure market-competitive cost structure on purchased services and materials
• Supervise quality personnel to ensure incoming raw material and foster good production to MAT standards
• Meet customer on time to fill (OTIF) requirements
• Ensure the factory operates at the budgeted cost level and appropriate adjustments are made to the cost structure as time changes

People

• Set daily production priorities and communicate clearly with crews.
• Train and coach operators to meet safety, quality, and performance expectations.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and a safe work environment.
• Develop and empower employees to grow and assume more significant roles and responsibilities, allowing them to advance their professional careers as well as for succession planning via the Next Level program.
• Communicate the plant performance and results to the team. Utilize and update visual communications on the plant floor
• Assist in the recruitment and retention of personnel based out of the facility
• Ensure all employees adhere to corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines.  Take corrective action as required within corporate guidelines or by governing laws

Quality

• Track output, downtime, and scrap, taking action to improve efficiency
• Monitor material usage daily to prevent shortages.
• Coordinate deliveries with suppliers and resolve late or damaged shipments.
• Work with warehouse/receiving to confirm counts and quality of incoming materials.
• Drive cost savings through yield improvements and scrap reduction.

Financial

• Responsible for the overall profit and loss results at an operating level for the plant
• Evaluate the financial implications of changes made in the operation to achieve maximum profitability
• Keep BOMs accurate and updated as products or processes change.
• Forecast raw material needs based on sales orders, inventory levels, and seasonality.
• Order wire, steel, and coatings to maintain proper stock without overbuying

Preferred/Required Education/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or sufficient years of experience
• Ten (6-10) or more years in a manufacturing environment
• Lean thinker, demonstrated passion and experience implementing and working in a Lean environment
• Proven ability to develop a culture of safety and 5S
• Proven leader who can drive success through daily task management and accountability.
• Demonstrated success in leadership development and effective succession planning
• Working knowledge of SAP is a plus
• Experience working in a TS 16949 facility

Competencies

• Safety First Perspective
• Quality Focused
• Lean Thinker
• Team Development
• Driven by Results

The posted salary range for this position is $105,000 to $140,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. This is a full-time, direct-hire position.