Plant Manager

About Us

American Trade Group, Inc. is a diversified organization supporting the construction and building industries through a portfolio of companies that includes American Lumber, a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor; Lane One Transport, a transportation and logistics company; and Rafter 12 Custom Homes.

Founded in 1986, American Trade Group has built a strong history of consistent year‑over‑year growth. American Lumber has been recognized as an Aggie 100 company, honoring the fastest‑growing businesses owned or operated by Texas A&M University alumni—a reflection of our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence.

At American Lumber, our mission—We Cut Through Challenges so You Can Focus on Success—guides the work we do every day. Driven by our vision to Build a Stronger America, One Solution at a Time, we focus on solving real problems, supporting our partners, and building long‑term relationships. Our culture is grounded in our core values of Service, Innovation, and Partnership, with a shared commitment to collaboration, growth, and operational excellence.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, results‑driven Plant Manager to lead overall plant operations and performance at our Alabama Remanufacturing Facility. This is the senior‑most position within the plant and is responsible for the full scope of operations, including Production, Shipping/Receiving, and Maintenance.

The Plant Manager is accountable for safety, production output, quality, cost control, and team leadership while ensuring seamless coordination across all departments. This role plays a critical part in aligning day‑to‑day execution with company objectives and driving continuous improvement across the operation.

This position reports directly to the VP of Manufacturing and oversees all department managers.

What You’ll Do

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop department managers across Production, Shipping/Receiving, and Maintenance
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, trust, and continuous improvement
• Support onboarding, training plans, and cross‑training initiatives for salaried and hourly employees
• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching, and develop future leaders
• Partner with HR to proactively address employee relations and engagement

Safety & Compliance 

• Champion a “Safety First” culture by modeling safe behaviors and reinforcing expectations
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, internal standards, and all regulatory requirements
• Conduct safety audits, meetings, and proactive hazard assessments
• Enforce adherence to safety programs such as Lockout/Tagout, PPE, and emergency procedures

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Oversee daily plant operations, ensuring alignment with production goals and company objectives
• Monitor key performance metrics including output, labor efficiency, downtime, yield, and quality
• Set daily, weekly, and departmental performance targets and review results with leadership
• Ensure consistent execution of SOPs across all plant functions
• Drive improvements in throughput, operational efficiency, and workflow

Maintenance & Asset Management

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and execution
• Partner with Maintenance to reduce unplanned downtime and backlog
• Evaluate equipment performance and identify capital improvement needs
• Ensure facility and equipment reliability to support uninterrupted operations

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor defect rates, rework, and waste to ensure product quality standards are met
• Ensure compliance with all product specifications and grading requirements
• Engage teams in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency

Planning, Communication & Coordination

• Collaborate with Sales, Logistics, HR, and Scheduling to align production with demand
• Forecast labor needs, production capacity, and operational constraints
• Lead daily production meetings and weekly planning sessions
• Maintain clear communication across departments to ensure alignment and execution

Data, Reporting & Financial Management

• Analyze key performance metrics and operational data to drive decision‑making
• Ensure accurate data entry, KPI tracking, and reporting
• Manage plant budgets, labor costs, and operational expenses
• Support audits and maintain compliance documentation

Who You Are

Education & Experience

• Proven experience in plant management, manufacturing leadership, or industrial operations required
• Experience in lumber, remanufacturing, or similar production environments preferred
• Demonstrated success leading multi‑department teams in a fast‑paced environment

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to align and motivate cross‑functional teams
• Operationally focused with a deep understanding of production efficiency and throughput
• Data‑driven decision‑maker with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Solid understanding of safety regulations, compliance, and risk management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, high‑accountability environment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Detail‑oriented with a commitment to quality, process consistency, and discipline
• Comfortable using reporting tools, ERP systems, and production tracking systems
  

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive compensation aligned with your experience
• Stable, growing organization with a strong track record of success
• Opportunity to lead full plant operations and drive meaningful impact
• Collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Clear path for leadership growth within a diversified organization

Application Requirements

Final candidates may be asked to complete a practical or leadership‑based assessment as part of the selection process.

If you are a strategic and hands‑on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about safety, performance, and team development, we encourage you to apply. Join American Lumber and lead the way in delivering operational excellence and building a stronger future.