Plant Manager

Als Komplettanbieter von innovativen Verpackungslösungen ist SONOCO ein weltweit tätiger Anbieter von Konsumgüterverpackungen, industriellen Produkten und Lieferkettendienstleistungen mit mehreren Milliarden US-Dollar Jahresumsatz. Wir stellen an mehr als 70 europäischen Standorten Verpackungen für eine Vielzahl von Branchen und zahlreiche der angesehensten Marken der Welt her, die an Kunden in 85 Ländern geliefert werden. An den Standorten Hockenheim und Lübeck werden Papierdosen für zahlreiche namhafte Lebensmittel- Tabak- und andere Herstelle der Konsumgütersparte produziert. An unserem Standort in Zwenkau wiederrum werden Lebensmittelverkaufsverpackungen aus recyclefähigem Kunststoff erstellt, wie zum Beispiel Verpackungen für Joghurt, Wurst- und Käseprodukte oder Speiseeis.

Job Description – Plant Manager (Lübeck)

Job Title:
Plant Manager

Department:
Plant Lübeck

Reports to:
Senior Director Regional Manufacturing – Consumer Packaging EMEA

Direct Reports:
Production Manager, Quality Manager, Technical Manager, Supply Chain Management

1. Objective and Overall Responsibility

The Plant Manager leads and manages the plant in a goal- and results-oriented manner to ensure that all key performance indicators are achieved.

Key focus areas:

• Occupational safety and accident prevention
• Plant budget (at least meeting defined targets)
• Increase in productivity
• Cost reduction
• Compliance with quality requirements
• Ensuring customer satisfaction at all times in close collaboration with Sales Management

The Plant Manager is obliged to immediately report any adverse developments that cannot be resolved within their own area of responsibility and, at the same time, submit improvement and optimization proposals to their superior, management, or the responsible and/or affected departments.

The Plant Manager is responsible for ensuring sustainable and ethical conduct at the plant (labor standards, health & safety, business ethics, environmental protection, Code of Conduct).

2. Scope of Responsibility

The Plant Manager manages the plant in accordance with corporate, quality and hygiene policies and ensures smooth and efficient plant operations.

Responsibilities include in particular:

• Managing the departments Production, Technical Services, Warehouse/Shipping and Quality Assurance in line with corporate policy and strategy while ensuring plant KPIs are met
• Preparation and compliance with the plant budget
• Definition of the plant’s investment plan
• Execution of investment calculations
• Determination of plant utilization levels and initiation of necessary corrective measures
• Definition and monitoring of production KPIs such as performance rate, efficiency rate and utilization rate of production equipment (bonus‑relevant KPIs)
• Compliance with accident prevention regulations and all legal and insurance requirements (fire protection, environmental protection, trade supervisory authority)
• Continuous improvement of occupational safety and promotion of employee health in close cooperation with the Health & Safety Officer
• Coordination with other plants within the group and leveraging synergies with the objective of overall group success
• Close coordination and cooperation with the plant’s Supply Chain Manager regarding customer requirements and objectives, including related investment calculations and subsequent implementation at the plant
• Technical customer support with the aim of increasing customer satisfaction
• Preparation of training plans for the plant
• Preparation of works agreements in cooperation with the Works Council
• Conducting required Occupational Safety Committee (ASA) meetings and works assemblies
• Promoting constructive cooperation with the Works Council
• Encouraging innovation and creativity and participation in cross‑plant projects to increase innovation
• Supporting and implementing change management processes at the plant

3. Personnel Management Responsibilities (applies to all managerial positions)

• Hiring and termination of blue‑collar permanent staff
• Hiring and termination of salaried employees
• Ensuring and documenting information, training and further development of employees, especially direct reports
• Handling disciplinary matters
• Monitoring performance evaluations of blue‑collar employees in accordance with applicable collective wage agreements and ensuring fair remuneration
• Representing company policy and fostering optimal cooperation across the organization and within the matrix structure
• Motivation and development of employees
• Conducting annual performance and development reviews with the direct reports

Key Performance Indicators:

• Achievement of plans (plant budget, investment plan), particularly adherence to cost targets
• Plant output (daily, weekly, monthly, annually)
• Customer satisfaction
• Internal and external complaint costs
• Number of workplace accidents
• Employee turnover rate
• Intensity and speed of task execution

4. Required Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering or comparable qualification (University of Applied Sciences / Technical University)
or
• Technical vocational training with 3–5 years of professional experience as a Production Manager or in a comparable managerial role in a manufacturing environment

5. Specialized Knowledge / Experience

• Experience in serial or mass production, preferably in the packaging or packaging materials industry
• Sound knowledge of business administration
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• MS Office and general IT skills

6. Specialized Skills and Personal Attributes

• Proactive leader and shaper, not merely an administrator
• Strong social skills and sensitivity
• Confident and professional demeanor
• Loyalty, integrity and credibility
• Strong analytical, strategic and conceptual thinking skills
• Perseverance and strong implementation capability
• Cost awareness and entrepreneurial mindset
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills
• Resilience and ability to perform under pressure
• Mature and well‑balanced personality

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