GM/Plant Manager

Position Overview: An established packaging manufacturing organization is seeking an accomplished General Manager to lead a significant corrugated manufacturing and distribution operation in Virginia. This position requires a results-driven leader who brings both extensive knowledge of corrugated manufacturing and the business acumen to manage a complex, multi-department operation. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational performance, financial results, continuous improvement, and organizational development. The General Manager will provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership across manufacturing, converting, maintenance, warehousing, logistics, and supporting business functions. Working closely with regional leadership, this individual will establish operational priorities, strengthen management accountability, and ensure the facility consistently achieves its production, quality, safety, customer service, and financial objectives. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable evaluating manufacturing performance on the plant floor, developing department leaders, and making strategic business decisions.

Manufacturing & Operational Leadership: Provide overall direction and accountability for daily manufacturing and distribution operations, ensuring efficient production, consistent quality, and reliable customer service. Oversee corrugating and converting processes, including production planning, equipment utilization, scheduling, maintenance, and material flow. Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including productivity, machine efficiency, downtime, waste, throughput, labor utilization, and on-time delivery. Identify and implement opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, increase capacity, reduce operating costs, and strengthen overall plant performance. Partner with production and maintenance leadership to improve equipment reliability, preventative maintenance practices, and asset utilization. Ensure effective coordination between manufacturing, warehousing, receiving, transportation, and other operational departments.

Business Management & Financial Performance: Provide financial and operational leadership with accountability for achieving established business objectives and profitability targets. Collaborate with financial leadership on operating budgets, forecasting, cost management, and capital expenditure planning. Analyze manufacturing costs, labor productivity, material utilization, and operating performance to identify opportunities for improved profitability. Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth, customer satisfaction, and long-term organizational success. Evaluate business performance and translate financial and operational data into actionable improvement initiatives. Balance manufacturing capacity, service commitments, cost considerations, and business priorities to achieve sustainable results.

Leadership & Organizational Development: Lead, coach, and develop a cross-functional management team, establishing clear expectations, measurable objectives, and individual accountability. Foster a culture of teamwork, employee engagement, safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement. Develop leadership capabilities throughout the organization, supporting succession planning and employee development. Partner with human resources leadership on workforce planning, staffing, retention, performance management, and employee relations. Promote effective communication and collaboration across all departments. Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the operation, engaging employees at all organizational levels.

Safety, Quality & Continuous Improvement: Champion a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with applicable workplace safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Maintain high standards of product quality, manufacturing consistency, and customer satisfaction. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, waste reduction, process optimization, and operational reliability. Apply Lean manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, and data-driven problem-solving techniques to improve operational results. Ensure operational procedures, performance standards, and accountability measures consistently maintained.

Customer & Business Relationships: Work collaboratively with commercial leadership to align manufacturing capabilities with customer requirements and business objectives. Support customer relationships through consistent product quality, dependable delivery, and responsive operational support. Represent the organization professionally during customer visits, supplier meetings, and leadership reviews. Collaborate with regional leadership on strategic initiatives, operational priorities, and business development opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent progressive manufacturing leadership experience will be considered. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, including significant responsibility for plant operations and cross-functional management teams. Strong experience in corrugated packaging manufacturing, including corrugating and converting operations, is highly preferred. Demonstrated success managing complex manufacturing operations with substantial employee headcount and multiple functional departments. Proven financial management capabilities, including budgeting, cost control, profitability improvement, and capital planning. Full P&L accountability is highly desirable. Strong technical understanding of manufacturing equipment, production processes, maintenance strategies, operational KPIs, and plant efficiency. Documented success improving productivity, reducing waste, strengthening equipment performance, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. Experience leading and developing department managers, building effective teams, and establishing a culture of accountability. Working knowledge of manufacturing safety standards, environmental requirements, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing reporting or ERP systems. Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to support business and operational requirements.

Ideal Candidate Profile: The successful candidate will be an experienced manufacturing executive who understands the technical complexities of corrugated packaging while possessing the financial discipline and leadership capabilities required to manage an entire business operation. This individual will demonstrate a track record of improving manufacturing performance, developing strong management teams, and delivering measurable operational and financial results. We are seeking a leader who is:

• Operationally knowledgeable:
• Understands corrugating, converting, manufacturing equipment, production efficiencies, and the challenges of a high-volume packaging environment.
• Business-focused:
• Makes informed decisions based on profitability, operating costs, customer commitments, and long-term business objectives.
• A proven people leader:
• Builds trust, develops managers, establishes accountability, and creates a high-performance culture.
• Hands-on and strategic:
• Maintains a visible presence in manufacturing operations while providing clear direction for the broader organization.
• Results-oriented:
• Demonstrates measurable achievements in productivity, cost reduction, continuous improvement, safety, and organizational performance.

The Opportunity: This is an opportunity for an established manufacturing leader to take responsibility for a substantial packaging operation and make a meaningful impact on its performance, culture, and continued success. The position offers the opportunity to combine hands-on manufacturing leadership with strategic business management in an established and evolving packaging organization. All candidate inquiries and discussions will be handled confidentially.