Plant Manager – Startup & OperationsDirect Hire-Harrisonburg, VA$90-120k Schedule: 7a-5p A growing steel fabrication and reinforcing operation is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead the startup and ongoing operation of a new production facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia.This role will be responsible for bringing a new facility online, including equipment installation, commissioning, plant layout, workflow development, staffing, and process implementation. Once operational, this individual will assume full responsibility for daily production, scheduling, and overall plant performance. This position will also support future facility expansion projects as the company continues to grow. Responsibilities:
Oversee delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of fabrication and material handling equipment
Coordinate vendor setup, calibration, validation, and startup of new machinery
Develop plant layout including material flow, staging areas, storage, and safety zones
Implement efficient production workflows for structural steel and reinforcing steel operations
Coordinate utilities integration including power distribution, compressed air, ventilation, and dust collection systems
Establish preventative maintenance systems and equipment reliability programs
Develop standard operating procedures, production documentation, and safety processes
Hire, train, and develop key production personnel and supervisors
Manage daily steel fabrication and reinforcing operations
Develop and maintain production schedules and capacity planning systems
Monitor KPIs including throughput, scrap rates, labor efficiency, equipment uptime, safety, and on-time delivery
Oversee raw material inventory including structural steel, rebar, plate, and fabricated components
Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
Ensure compliance with applicable welding and structural fabrication standards
Coordinate closely with estimating and project management to align production output with project demand
Prepare the facility for future expansion and additional startup initiatives
Required Experience:
5+ years of experience in steel, metal fabrication, or heavy industrial manufacturing
Demonstrated experience installing and commissioning production equipment
Experience developing plant layouts and production workflows
Production scheduling and capacity planning experience
Leadership experience supervising fabrication or manufacturing teams
Strong understanding of structural steel, reinforcing steel, or heavy metal processing
Hands-on mechanical aptitude with strong shop-floor credibility
Preferred Background:
Experience in structural steel fabrication
Experience with rebar processing and bending systems
Experience with CNC plasma, beam line, or plate processing equipment
Experience with press brake operations
Knowledge of welding processes such as GMAW, FCAW, and SMAW
Experience managing heavy material handling systems including overhead cranes and forklifts
Experience leading multi-shift production environments
The ideal candidate is technically strong, comfortable around heavy equipment, experienced in equipment startup and process implementation, and capable of transitioning from facility launch into structured production management. This role requires a leader who is willing to be present on the shop floor and directly engaged in building and improving operations.
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