Plant Manager

Lead Operations. Develop People. Drive Results.

Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving challenges, and knows how to bring out the best in a production team?

Chicago Tube & Iron (CTI) is seeking an experienced Fabrication Plant Manager to lead our fabrication operations and drive operational excellence across safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a results-driven leader who understands the complexities of metal fabrication, values teamwork, and is passionate about building efficient operations while developing a strong, accountable workforce.

At CTI, we're looking for more than someone to manage production. We're looking for a leader who takes ownership, develops people, challenges the status quo, and drives continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

Lead Production & Operations

• Oversee daily fabrication operations, including welding, laser cutting, bending, forming, machining, and secondary manufacturing processes.

• Direct production schedules, staffing, workflow, and equipment utilization to meet customer commitments.

• Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks while improving throughput, efficiency, and on-time delivery.

• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Sales, and other departments to support new products, customer requirements, and business growth.

Champion Safety & Quality

• Build and maintain a strong safety-first culture across all shifts.

• Ensure compliance with company safety standards, manufacturing procedures, and applicable regulations.

• Maintain high product quality standards, including adherence to customer specifications, inspection requirements, and ISO quality systems.

• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions to reduce defects, scrap, and rework.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, labor efficiency, machine performance, and overall profitability.

• Apply Lean manufacturing principles, 5S, and structured problem-solving techniques to improve operational performance.

• Partner with Maintenance to minimize equipment downtime and improve preventive maintenance practices.

• Evaluate new equipment, automation, and process improvements to support future capacity and growth.

Build & Develop a Strong Team

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Supervisors, Team Leads, and fabrication employees.

• Foster a culture of accountability, communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, training, performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.

• Promote employee development, cross-training, and succession planning to strengthen the operation.

Own Performance & Results

• Monitor production performance, labor productivity, overtime, operating expenses, equipment utilization, and inventory accuracy.

• Establish clear expectations and performance goals while holding teams accountable for results.

• Track and report key operational metrics, including safety, quality, on-time delivery, labor efficiency, and production costs.

• Develop actionable solutions to operational challenges and communicate progress to senior leadership.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a confident, engaged leader who combines strong technical manufacturing knowledge with the ability to inspire teams and deliver measurable results.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Proven leadership experience in a metal fabrication, manufacturing, or engineered products environment.

• Strong working knowledge of welding, laser cutting, bending/forming, machining, and related fabrication processes.

• Experience managing production schedules, labor efficiency, operational costs, and equipment performance.

• Demonstrated success implementing Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and process optimization initiatives.

• Familiarity with ISO quality systems, manufacturing safety requirements, and root cause corrective action processes.

• Experience leading supervisors and production employees, including coaching, performance management, and workforce development.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across multiple departments and leadership levels.

• Experience working in a union manufacturing environment is a plus.

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.

What Sets You Apart

• You're a visible, hands-on leader who understands what's happening on the production floor.

• You hold people accountable while earning their trust and respect.

• You don't just identify problems — you take initiative to solve them.

• You understand the connection between safety, quality, productivity, and profitability.

• You thrive in an environment where priorities shift and sound decisions matter.

• You're passionate about developing employees and building a high-performing manufacturing team.

Why Join Chicago Tube & Iron?

At Chicago Tube & Iron, we've built our reputation on quality products, dependable service, and the dedication of our people. Our Fabrication & Engineered Solutions operations play an important role in delivering innovative solutions to our customers.

As our Fabrication Plant Manager, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our operations, shape the development of your team, and contribute directly to the continued success and growth of our business.

Ready to lead, improve, and make an impact?

Join Chicago Tube & Iron and help us take our fabrication operations to the next level.

Chicago Tube & Iron is an Equal Opportunity Employer.