Plant Manager - Railcar Repair Shop

UTLX

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership for plant operations and is responsible for fostering a respectful, purpose-driven, and high-performing culture. This role champions safety, regulatory compliance, quality, productivity, employee development, and continuous improvement while ensuring the consistent flow of railcars at planned production rates. The Plant Manager is accountable for delivering high-quality, cost-effective repairs that meet customer requirements and company production objectives, while maintaining full compliance with regulatory, safety, quality, environmental, and company standards. Through a focus on operational excellence, this role drives performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement to meet customer expectations for quality, delivery, and service.

Primary responsibilities and/or essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Lead all plant operations to achieve production, quality, safety, customer service, and financial objectives while fostering a respectful, inclusive, purpose-driven, and high-performing culture.
• Provide visible leadership throughout the facility by conducting routine plant walk-throughs, engaging employees across all shifts, participating in toolbox meetings, and maintaining strong working relationships with hourly and salaried employees.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, safety, environmental, quality, and company requirements through active oversight, risk identification, corrective action management, and reinforcement of safe work practices.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of industry regulations and ensure continuous compliance with all regulatory and customer requirements.
• Oversee railcar repair operations and workflow to ensure proper railcar placement, efficient production flow, high-quality repairs, adherence to production schedules, and achievement of customer delivery commitments.
• Drive operational excellence by monitoring production performance, takt times, labor utilization, cycle times, repair efficiency, and plant KPIs, while proactively removing barriers to performance.
• Lead daily management processes through Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 systems, including review of safety, quality, productivity, manpower, cost performance, and accountability actions.
• Monitor and verify repair quality through plant observations, inspections, and spot checks to ensure customer, regulatory, and company standards are consistently met.
• Review and analyze operational and financial performance metrics, including production results, overtime, labor utilization, work-in-process (WIP), repair efficiency, cost variance, indirect labor, and aging railcar reports, and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensure contract reviews are completed accurately and that all customer, operational, and commercial requirements are effectively executed.
• Develop, implement, and maintain scalable operating processes, staffing models, and infrastructure capable of supporting changing production demands and business objectives.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs to ensure equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and minimal production disruption.
• Lead capital planning and facility improvement initiatives that support long-term operational performance, growth, and competitiveness.
• Drive achievement of all plant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through effective planning, execution, accountability, and performance management.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, waste reduction, process standardization, and sustainable performance improvements.
• Utilize operational data, trend analysis, and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities, solve problems, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead the development, execution, and review of facility A3 and other continuous improvement plans, ensuring accountability for results and alignment with organizational goals.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and empower employees at all levels while creating an environment that supports engagement, teamwork, and professional growth.
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and accountability measures for leaders and employees and provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback.
• Conduct regular one-