Plant Manager

Gates Corporation

Location: Nevers
Work arrangement: On-site
Job type: Full-time
Posted Oct 22

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Key skills in this ad

Skills and tools

Manufacturing
Supply chain
Human resources
ISO 9001
Lean
Employee relations
Operations management
GDPR

Experience

11 - 15 years of experience

Languages

French
English

Qualifications

About this role

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What to expect?

Gates is seeking a Plant Manager to lead its manufacturing facility in Nevers, France , a strategic site within Gates' global manufacturing network employing approximately 150 associates and specializing in the production of high-performance industrial and automotive belt solutions.

The Plant Manager has overall responsibility for the leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of the site, overseeing all manufacturing and support functions including Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, HSEE, Human Resources, Finance, and Continuous Improvement. The role is accountable for delivering operational and financial results, achieving customer satisfaction objectives, and driving a culture of safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

As the senior leader of the plant, this position ensures the site remains competitive through the adoption of best practices, continuous improvement initiatives, and the effective deployment of Gates Manufacturing Excellence principles. The Plant Manager is also responsible for ensuring full compliance with all applicable quality, environmental, health, safety, and energy management standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and other regulatory and company requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Health, Safety and Environment

Make employee health, safety and well-being the site’s highest priority.

Ensure compliance with French regulations and Gates HSE standards.

Promote a strong prevention culture through visible leadership and regular shop-floor presence.

Has delegated authority to sign driving authorizations for the employees in his department

Operational Performance

Take overall accountability for the site’s operational performance and results.

Ensure achievement of production, quality, delivery, productivity and cost objectives.

Monitor key performance indicators, identify gaps and implement effective action plans.

Optimize the use of equipment, capacity, resources and manufacturing processes.

Provide reliable and transparent performance reporting to regional management.

Ensure effective production planning and reliable customer deliveries.

Site Strategy and Competitiveness

Define and implement the site’s medium and long-term roadmap in line with Gates and EMEA priorities.

Anticipate changes in volumes, technologies, customer needs and required capabilities.

Develop capacity, investment and organizational plans.

Continuous Improvement and Transformation

Develop a sustainable Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement culture.

Promote structured problem-solving, standardization and operational excellence.

Quality and Customer Service

Ensure that products and processes meet customer, regulatory and Gates requirements.

Promote a strong quality culture throughout the site.

Ensure effective root-cause analysis and corrective actions for customer complaints and non-conformities.

Drive improvements in product quality, delivery performance and customer satisfaction.

Financial Performance

Take full accountability for the site’s budget and financial results.

Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts and capital expenditure plans.

In relation with Finance, control manufacturing costs, fixed costs, inventory and operating expenses.

Human Resources & Leadership

Set clear priorities and regularly review individual and collective performance

Work closely with Human Resources to define and implement the site’s people strategy

Anticipate workforce and skills requirements in line with the industrial roadmap

Ensure compliance with French employment legislation, collective agreements and company policies

Ensure the role of Worker Council President and Lead negotiations with Union in partnership with the HR Manager

Governance and Compliance

Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, Gates policies and internal procedures.

Manage the site’s operational, industrial, financial, environmental and employee relations risks.

Represent the site with local authorities, regulatory bodies and external stakeholders.

Keys to Success

Requires a comprehensive understanding of internal and industry standards and principles

Supervisory Responsibilities

3+ direct reports

Manages multiple related teams, typically through manager and/or team lead

Manages large team of professionals and or managers

Sets organizational priorities and allocates resources; executes department business plans

Has team leadership, performance management and people development responsibility to build strong teams

Requirements and Preferred Skills

11 - 15 years of experience

Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain or Operations Management.

Significant leadership experience within a demanding manufacturing environment.

Proven experience as a Plant Director, Operations Director or leader of a sizeable manufacturing operation.

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing industrial transformation.

Solid background in Lean Manufacturing, financial management, HSE and employee relations.

Fluent French and English

Salary between €85,000 and €105,000 (depending on qualifications) + bonus

LI-SS1

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Work Environment

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

GDPR: Gates are committed to protecting your private data. Please see below the link to our Job Applicants Privacy Statement which we would ask you to read in full. By applying for this position, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this policy.

Gates Job Applicants Privacy Statement

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