Plant Manager - Calnetix Technologies : Job Details

General Purpose of Job:

Calnetix Technologies is a growing engineering and manufacturing company located in Southern California. We are making a positive contribution to society and the environment by helping to change the way the world harvests and utilizes energy. We enable OEMs across a wide range of industries to enhance and differentiate their current products and to innovate toward creating new products and markets. In partnership with OEMs, we utilize our innovative, high-speed motor generator technologies to help meet industry demand for more energy-efficient products that reduce energy consumption, reduce harmful emissions and enhance energy security.

The Plant Manager is responsible for the full leadership and operational oversight of the manufacturing facility, with key focus areas including production, facilities management, safety, environmental compliance and workforce development. This role helps align the production, planning, maintenance and quality functions to meet customer expectations and business objectives. Success hinges on fostering a culture of productivity, accountability, operational excellence, safety and continuous improvement.

We are seeking a dynamic, hands-on Plant Manager to lead our manufacturing operations. This individual will manage teams to produce cutting-edge hardware for commercial and military applications, requiring both technical expertise and strong people management skills. The ideal candidate will bring experience in new product introduction (NPI), a passion for innovation, and the ability to scale operations while maintaining customer satisfaction and driving performance across business metrics.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plant Operations OversightDirect all daily manufacturing, assembly, test and maintenance operations to ensure efficiency, safety, quality, and adherence to production schedules.
• Leadership & People ManagementLead, coach, and develop team leaders and technicians, fostering a high-performance culture with strong communication and accountability.
• Production & Quality ManagementEnsure products meet engineering specifications and quality standards throughout the manufacturing process; prevent defects and support continuous improvement.
• Safety & ComplianceChampion a zero-incident culture, ensuring OSHA compliance, leading the safety committee and enforcing workplace safety and housekeeping standards.
• Process Improvement & Lean InitiativesDrive continuous improvement through Lean practices and process optimization.
• Financial & Resource ManagementControl costs and manage labor efficiency to meet objectives.
• KPI Monitoring & ReportingTrack and report key performance indicators (KPIs) including output, productivity, scrap, delivery, and maintenance metrics; prepare monthly operational summaries.
• Customer & Delivery FocusEnsure production output meets customer quality and delivery expectations.
• Training & Workforce DevelopmentIdentify skill gaps, lead onboarding and cross-training initiatives, and implement workforce development plans in collaboration with HR.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial/Manufacturing or Electrical) or Applied Science or related technical discipline; Six Sigma certification a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, including 5+ years in a senior plant or production leadership role, preferably in aerospace, aviation, or high-tech industries

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven success in leading teams, optimizing operations, and driving efficiency across diverse manufacturing disciplines such as electro-mechanical assembly/test, CNC machining and fabrication.
• Strong understanding of the full product lifecycle—from new product introduction (NPI) to scaled production—including experience with ERP systems, lean manufacturing, 5S, and change management (ECOs).
• Skilled in interpreting technical documentation (e.g., mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, work instructions) and troubleshooting complex equipment and processes.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality standards (AS9100), and compliance with OSHA regulations and environmental compliance.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills; highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Passionate about team development, with a track record of mentoring and training both new and experienced production staff.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Intangibles Sought:

• High energy results oriented transformational leader with can-do attitude.
• Able to energize and motivate workforce in a dynamic environment with multiple competing initiatives/priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Overall supervisory responsibility for production and facilities management personnel.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Manufacturing plant, non-controlled climate
• Personal protective equipment required in plant/production areas.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned, by their supervisor. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

• Calnetix is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation and benefits and also states that retaliation against any employee who files a complaint regarding possible violations of this policy will not be tolerated.